Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul’s Big Estate Planning Mistake

Aretha Franklin’s decades-long career as the “Queen of Soul” came to an end when her ailing health left her unable to continue touring. Often lauded as the greatest singer of all time, Franklin was—at the time of her death—an immensely wealthy woman worth an estimated $80 million.

However, while Aretha Franklin may have had immense musical talent, she, like many Americans, made the all-too-common mistake of writing a will but failing to ensure its safety. This oversight tore her family apart, imperiling her estate and turning her children against one another.

The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc. has spent decades helping California families avert similar catastrophes. If you have questions about protecting your legacy from the perils of probate, our experienced team of attorneys is here to help.

Learning From Aretha Franklin’s Estate Mistakes

Aretha Franklin’s original 2010 will contained controversial inheritance provisions that upset heirs and led to intense litigation. However, in 2018, after years of appeals and challenges, an intensive search of the late singer’s possessions produced a newer will buried deep inside an old sofa.

Franklin, like many other people, made a critical mistake—believing that her will would be safest in a place few would expect to find it. However, she passed away before divulging its location, initiating an intrafamily feud that has dragged on for more than five years.

Keeping Your Will Safe

While keeping your will hidden could preserve your peace of mind, you run the same risks as Aretha Franklin. Instead of putting your faith in a California probate court, consider keeping your will safe by:

Storing it in a Fireproof Safe

If you do decide to keep your original will at home, it deserves better protection than a filing cabinet, desk drawer, or couch cushion. A fireproof or waterproof safe can keep a will shielded from the elements, while making it easy for an executor to locate.

Not Storing it in a Safe Deposit Box

Storing a will in a safe deposit box may seem like a good idea, but it is not without its risks.

Banks, like most financial institutions, will not simply allow third-party access to another person’s safe deposit box. Even if the executor is entitled to access it, they may have a difficult time proving their position if the will is locked away inside the same bank demanding documentation.

Using Your Attorney’s Office

The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc. could help you draft a valid and ironclad will and ensure that the original, or any copies, remain safe from prying eyes and bad intent.

The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc. for Your Estate Planning and Probate Needs

If you need to create an estate plan, update your current plan, or handle the estate of someone who’s died, The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc. is here to help. We only handle estate planning and post-death administration, and together, our attorneys have more than 70 years of combined experience in these fields.

Our law firm has helped over 25,000 people in California leave a lasting legacy to their loved ones, getting to know each client, listening to their concerns, and learning about their needs and goals to create a plan that carries out their wishes. Additionally, we’ve implemented 4,000 plans after clients have passed away. Let us take care of you throughout the estate planning process. Contact The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis, Inc., or call us at 1-800-756-5596.

When You Want the Very Best for Your Loved Ones, Choose Us.

Experience and Expertise. Estate planning and post-death administration are all we do. Our attorneys have over 70 years of combined expertise in the field, and three of our attorneys have passed an additional Bar examination and peer review process to become State Bar Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Two of our attorneys also have Master’s Degrees in Tax Law, giving us unique insight into how estate tax and income tax will affect your family’s inheritance.

Customization and Attention to Detail. Before we create or update your estate plan, we get to know you, your goals, and what matters to you most. We take the time to listen to your concerns and attend to each of your unique needs and desires as if they were our own. When we complete your plan, we perform a detailed quality control process to help ensure your objectives are met. We also provide you with a personalized Owner’s Manual containing all of your important documents, and your Successor Trustee with a Manual containing helpful, plain-English checklists and easy-to-follow procedures.

Lifetime Relationship. All of our estate plans include a free ongoing service package. We take phone calls any time you have questions, perform free estate planning checkups every three years, and keep you abreast of changes in the law and planning strategies with our complimentary newsletters and educational seminars. And, when the time comes, we will be there to help your trustee and loved ones.