Aretha Franklin’s sons are going to court over her estate. Here’s what to know.
Aretha Franklin’s niece steps down as personal representative of late singer’s estate
Aretha Franklin, the electrifying “Queen of Soul,” died in August 2018 , closing the curtains on one of the most illustrious careers in American popular music. But in at least one crucial respect, her story is not over.
Five years after Franklin’s death at her home in suburban Detroit, her last wishes remain an open question and the subject of intense debate. The battle over the singer’s estate is now going to trial in probate court, with proceedings set to kick off Monday.
The singer did not leave behind formal, typewritten instructions for her money and property. Eight months after her death, however, handwritten wills were found hidden in her home — including one inside a spiral notebook crammed under sofa cushions.
Read more on NBC News.
Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
Top headlines ▶ 1:51
Top headlines
The lines above Houston ▶ 1:16
The lines above Houston
Conroe judge facing DWI charge hosts campaign event, avoids questions about criminal history ▶ 0:29
Conroe judge facing DWI charge hosts campaign event, avoids questions about criminal history
Convicted felon accused of sexually assaulting high schooler after offering ride to police station ▶ 0:53
Convicted felon accused of sexually assaulting high schooler after offering ride to police station
Houston's forecast for MLK Day! ▶ 0:26
Houston's forecast for MLK Day!
8-year-old boy reports sexual assault at NRG Stadium during Texans game ▶ 0:42
8-year-old boy reports sexual assault at NRG Stadium during Texans game
This week in Houston temperatures ▶ 0:54
This week in Houston temperatures
Longer days are coming to Houston ▶ 1:29
Longer days are coming to Houston
Heaven’s 27 Foundation: Turning Tragedy into Camp Safety Reform ▶ 1:07
Heaven’s 27 Foundation: Turning Tragedy into Camp Safety Reform
Texans prepare for Patriots in divisional round after wild card win ▶ 0:52
Texans prepare for Patriots in divisional round after wild card win
Texas investigates grocery chains over undisclosed pesticide-like spray on produce ▶ 1:04
Texas investigates grocery chains over undisclosed pesticide-like spray on produce
Driver killed in crash involving wrecker truck on Katy Freeway near Studemont ▶ 0:43
Driver killed in crash involving wrecker truck on Katy Freeway near Studemont
Top headlines ▶ 2:07
Top headlines
Cedar fever and your allergies ▶ 2:07
Cedar fever and your allergies
Court docs say suspect in UH campus bank robbery kidnapped, sexually assaulted Baytown employee ▶ 0:41
Court docs say suspect in UH campus bank robbery kidnapped, sexually assaulted Baytown employee
17-year-old charged with murder rolls eyes at judge ▶ 1:14
17-year-old charged with murder rolls eyes at judge
Beautiful winter week in Houston ▶ 0:43
Beautiful winter week in Houston
Crews work to contain massive fire at church building off of North Freeway ▶ 0:32
Crews work to contain massive fire at church building off of North Freeway
Two Cold Fronts Hit Houston: What to Expect This Week in Weather ▶ 0:49
Two Cold Fronts Hit Houston: What to Expect This Week in Weather
Woman is using United Way to help her get to financial freedom ▶ 1:14
Woman is using United Way to help her get to financial freedom
Top headlines for Jan. 12 ▶ 1:41
Top headlines for Jan. 12
26.2 miles. Thousands of reasons. 🏃♀️🏃♂️ ▶ 2:07
26.2 miles. Thousands of reasons. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
HPD: Man with felony warrant resists arrest leading to officer shooting ▶ 0:44
HPD: Man with felony warrant resists arrest leading to officer shooting
Here's what we're talking about Sunday morning! ▶ 0:39
Here's what we're talking about Sunday morning!
RUNNERS, are you READY?! 🏃♂️🏃♀️ All your training has led you here — the Chevron Houston Marathon is TODAY! ▶ 0:59
RUNNERS, are you READY?! 🏃♂️🏃♀️ All your training has led you here — the Chevron Houston Marathon is TODAY!
Previous photo Next photo