Jury hears case of singer Aretha Franklin's wills

(10 Jul 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Pontiac, Michigan - 10 July 2023 1. Edward Franklin, Aretha Franklin's son, and his lawyer walk into court 2. The courtroom door with the judge's name on it ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Beverly Hills, California - 5 February 2008 3. STILL of Aretha Franklin posing for a photo ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: New York - 1 October 2014 4. Aretha Franklin and Clive Davis at an event to promote her covers album "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics" ASSOCIATED PRESS Pontiac, Michigan - 10 July 2023 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed White, Associated Press: "Aretha Franklin, a world-renowned music superstar, died five years ago, but her estate is still unsettled. There were two handwritten documents found after her death that give some conflicting wishes about her estate, her property possessions. And her three sons are involved in a trial here in Oakland County, Michigan, Probate Court to decide whether one of the wills dated 2014 is valid." 6. Kecalf Franklin (center), Aretha Franklin's son, enters the courtroom 7. Ted White II, Aretha Franklin's son, walks into the courtroom 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed White, Associated Press: "One son, Kecalf Franklin, is in favor of the 2014 document. Ted White, another son, says the 2010 document should control Aretha Franklin's estate." 9. Various of Edward Franklin outside court 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Craig Smith, Edward Franklin's lawyer: "We may wrap it up tomorrow as far as the jury. So, we're hoping for a verdict by 5 o'clock. Could be earlier. You never know how long a jury is going to go out. It could be 10 minutes. Could be 10 hours. But I suspect 2 hours." ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: New York - 22 March 2014 11. Aretha Franklin arrives at a party for her birthday STORYLINE: Two sons of the late singer Aretha Franklin gave different opinions Monday about the Queen of Soul's final wishes, testifying in an unusual trial that will determine whether a 2014 handwritten document found in couch cushions will guide her estate. Franklin died in 2018 at age 76 without a formal, typewritten will. Five years later, her legacy still is tied up in a suburban Detroit court after a niece found different sets of handwritten papers at her home. The issue for a jury: Does a 2014 document count as a will under Michigan law? If so, it could trump a 2010 handwritten will that was found in a locked cabinet at the same time. The older version, however, was notarized and repeatedly signed by Franklin. Ted White II, a son who played guitar during his mother's performances, favors the 2010 document. The 2014 version crossed out White’s name as executor of the estate and named another son, Kecalf (KELF') Franklin, in his place. Kecalf Franklin and grandchildren would get his mother’s main home in Bloomfield Hills, which was valued at $1.1 million when she died but is worth much more today. The jury will hear closing arguments Tuesday. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c4aa6953f01140a4b6d18a754a749f4c