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Three handwritten wills found in Aretha Franklin’s home

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Matthew Jordan SmithIt was believed that the late Aretha Franklin did not leave a will, however three handwritten wills have been discovered in her home in Detroit.

The documents were submitted in probate court this week, according to the Detroit Free Press. Two were dated 2010, and a third was dated 2014. It has not been confirmed that The Queen of Soul actually wrote the wills. Her estate has submitted a petition to validate the documents and a hearing will be held on June 12.

In the papers, Aretha apparently wrote that her assets were to be “evenly distributed” among three of her sons, Edward, Teddy and Kecalf. She added special provisions for her oldest son, Clarence, now 63.

She requested that her song copyrights and her percentage from the upcoming MGM biopic starring Jennifer Hudson be divided among her sons, as well as her gold records and awards.

They would also share property, including her piano, records and CDs with her grandchildren. Money from several bank accounts were to be “split evenly” among various family members, including nieces and a cousin.

The “Respect” singer also asked that her papers be donated to colleges or auctioned, and her gowns should be auctioned by Sotheby’s or donated to the Smithsonian Institution.

Aretha Franklin passed away August 16, 2018, from pancreatic cancer at age 76.

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