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Tension developing in Aretha Franklin will dispute

Posted at 5:46 PM, Jun 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-17 17:46:04-04

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A fight is emerging over whether a son of Aretha Franklin could be put in charge of the late singer's estate, which might be worth millions.

In a court filing Monday, lawyers for the estate say "there is no basis" to believe that Kecalf (Kelf) Franklin has the skills to serve as personal representative, even if a handwritten will found in couch cushions turns out to be valid.

After Franklin's death last August her heirs agreed to put the estate in the hands of a relative who is a university administrator. But the recent discovery of the 2014 will could change everything. The document shows Franklin apparently wanted Kecalf Franklin to serve as the representative or executor.

He wants the job, although a Michigan judge hasn't determined if the will is valid. It could take weeks or months to resolve the issue.