The singer left no formal will. However, two handwritten documents were found in her home in Detroit, which under Michigan law can still be considered the deceased’s will.
The documents have led to a years-long conflict between Franklin’s sons over the inheritance.
One document, from 2010, was found in a cupboard, while the other, from 2014, was found in a notebook under a sofa cushion.
Franklin has four sons. One of them believes that a document dated to 2010 should apply, while two of the other sons instead believe that the latter is the valid one.
In both texts it appears that the sons are to share the inheritance, but there are differences.
The jury’s decision is particularly favorable to son Kecalf Franklin and his children, who now look set to inherit the singer’s residence, a mansion in an affluent suburb of Detroit. He will also inherit her cars.
Aretha Franklin died in August 2018.