By Shirley Farmer 
The legendary American singer, who died on August 16, 2018 in her hometown of Detroit, did not leave an official will, but handwritten documents later discovered in her home fueled years of conflict between her four children.
The documents, which are difficult to read, seem to share their assets, that is, real estate, but also jewelry, furs, sound equipment, and musical rights.
One of them, dated 2010, was discovered in a locked closet. Another, dated 2014, was found under the sofa cushions. Two of his children, Edward and Kikalf Franklin, have taken a stand in favor of the 2014 document. Another, Ted White Jr., said the 2010 document is more legitimate.
Both wills seem to indicate an equal distribution of copyright among these three children.
According to the “New York Times”, Clarence Franklin, the singer’s first child, suffers from psychological problems and lives under legal guardianship, with his brothers who have sworn to support him.
The decision of the jury, consisting of six people, is especially favorable to Kikalf Franklin and his children, who must inherit the singer’s main residence, a mansion in an elite suburb of Detroit, as well as cars.
The action centered on the signing of the 2014 document, which read “A. Franklin”, with a small “smiley face” design over the first initial, which Keklev Franklin described as “characteristic” of his mother’s handwriting.
The jury returned its decision after an hour of deliberation, ending a two-day trial.
For years, trustees of Aretha Franklin’s estate paid off debts and paid taxes while managing the rights to her music.
The “Queen of Soul” died at the age of 76 in Detroit of pancreatic cancer after a six-decade career that made her one of America’s most respected artists.
A memorable performance on “Respect,” the singer was also a figure in the fight for African-American civil rights and sang at Martin Luther King’s funeral in 1968.