Friday, March 29, 2024

Aretha Franklin’s Niece Resigns as Executor Amid Family Turmoil Over Singer’s Estate [VIDEO]

*Aretha Franklin’s niece has decided to step down as personal representative of the late singer’s estate.

After the singer’s death in August 2018, Sabrina Garrett Owens was named the personal representative for Franklin’s children.  Seeking to “calm the rift in my family,” Owens filed a petition Thursday in Oakland County Probate Court giving two weeks’ notice of her resignation, the Detroit Free Press reports

Her resignation comes amid tense family drama over Franklin’s estate. In Thursday’s letter, Owens indicated that the “relationships began to deteriorate with the heirs” with the May 2019 discovery of three handwritten wills in Franklin’s home. The most recent one was dated March 2014, and appeared to give the singer’s assets to family members.

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Aretha Franklin

These documents reportedly contain conflicting instructions from the singer, and there has been multiple legal battles within the family about who has control over Franklin’s estate.

According to Owens, the discovery of the wills is the main reason she’s stepping down from her position. 

“My primary goal was to honor my aunt by handling her business professionally, fairly and within the law,” Owens wrote. “In spite of my best efforts, my role with the estate has become more contentious with the heirs. Given my aunt’s deep love of family and desire for privacy, this is not what she would have wanted for us, nor is it what I want.”

According to the reports, Owens will continue in the executor role for the immediate future. A hearing on who might eventually take over has been scheduled for March 3. 

Franklin’s youngest son, 49-year-old Kecalf Franklin, previously petitioned to boot Owens and handle his mother’s legacy himself, but two of his siblings are blocking his efforts.

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