After Eight-Year Fight, Jury Decides Will Found In A Couch Will Determine Fate Of Aretha Franklin’s $80 Million Estate

A jury has decided that the 2014 version of Aretha Franklin’s will should stand in an ongoing battle about her estate.

When Aretha died, it was believed that she did not have a will, which would result in her assets being equally divided between her four children, Kecalf Cunningham, Clarence Franklin, Edward Franklin and Teddy Richards. 

Franklin’s niece discovered a will written by Aretha hidden in a spiral notebook under a cushion of her sofa that she signed. She additionally included the statement, “Being of sound mind, I write my will and testimony.” This will states that her three sons, Cunningham, Edward and Richards, would split her bank funds and royalties from her music. Her last son, Cunningham, would inherit more than his other siblings, as he would receive her mansion where she lived, which is valued at $1.2 million, and all her cars. 

Months after her death, a second will was located. 

Another will, created in 2010, was located in her locked desk drawer with her other legal documents. This called for a more even division of her assets between her four sons. Although it did require that Cunningham and Edward “ take business classes and get a certificate or a degree” in order to receive their inheritance. 

Neither of these wills was reviewed by a lawyer or had any witnesses. The only difference was the first will was notarized. 

This led to a legal dispute over which of the two different wills would be followed. Aretha’s sons fought each other for years to decide the matter. 

Two of her sons, Edward and Cunningham, advocated the 2014 version to stand, while one of her other sons, Richards, wanted the 2010 version. 

Clarence was not involved in the dispute. 

Cunningham testified that Aretha’s signature on the 2014 version was legal due to the inclusion of a smiley face in it, which is typical for her signature. He additionally stated that it “doesn’t strike me as odd” that the will was found in the sofa as she typically dealt with her business there. 

Richards and his attorney argued that the 2010 version was Aretha’s intended will because she kept this one in a cabinet where all her documents were held. 

The trial lasted for two days, and six jurors deliberated over the matter. They came to a verdict in less than one hour.