Handwritten Will Found in Aretha Franklin"s Couch Deemed Valid by Jury In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the estate of the late singer Aretha Franklin, a jury in Michigan has ruled that a handwritten will discovered in Franklin"s couch is a valid legal document. The ruling, which came on Tuesday, marks the latest twist in the dispute surrounding Franklin"s estate, initially estimated to be worth millions of dollars, but revised down to $6 million this year. Aretha Franklin, renowned for hits like “Respect” and "Think," passed away in 2018, leaving no formal will behind. However, in 2019, when her niece searched her Detroit home, two versions of a will were found. One, dated 2010, was discovered in a locked cabinet, while the other, from 2014, was found wedged in the singer"s couch. Both versions of the will contained numerous scribbles and passages that were difficult to decipher, but they seemed to indicate that Franklin"s four sons would share the income generated from her music and copyrights. The trial, which concluded on Tuesday, saw the jury deliberating for less than an hour before reaching a verdict. The decision was a victory for Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklin, who had argued that the 2014 document should supersede the 2010 will that was found in a locked cabinet. After the verdict was read, Aretha Franklin"s grandchildren expressed their joy by hugging Kecalf and Edward. Kecalf Franklin stated, "I"m very, very happy. I just wanted my mother"s wishes to be adhered to. We just want to exhale right now. It"s been a long five years for my family, my children." During closing arguments, lawyers representing two of Franklin"s sons emphasized that the location of the handwritten papers was inconsequential to their validity, comparing it to leaving a will on a kitchen counter. However, Ted White II, another of Franklin"s sons, favored the 2010 will, which was notarized and signed by Franklin herself. He argued that his mother typically handled important documents through conventional and legal means, with the assistance of an attorney. While both the 2010 and 2014 wills indicate that Franklin"s four sons would share income from her music and copyrights, there are notable differences between the two. The 2014 will stipulated that Kecalf Franklin and Franklin"s grandchildren would inherit her primary residence in Bloomfield Hills, currently valued at significantly more than the $1.1 million it was worth at the time of her death. Additionally, the 2010 will included a provision that required Kecalf and Edward Franklin to obtain a certificate or degree in business to benefit from the estate, a provision absent in the 2014 version. Franklin"s estate managers have been handling financial matters, settling tax debts, and generating income through music royalties and intellectual property. However, the will dispute has remained unresolved, adding to the complexity of managing the late singer"s estate. Aretha Franklin, a globally acclaimed star for several decades, gained fame for hits like "Think," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "Respect." The outcome of this unusual trial will determine whether the 2014 handwritten document found in the couch cushions will be recognized as Franklin"s final will.