Aretha Franklin’s Estate Gets New Lawyer, After Niece Resigns Amidst Family Drama

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin’s Estate Gets New Lawyer, After Niece Resigns Amidst Family Drama

Aretha Franklin’s estate officially has a new lawyer. Last month, Aretha Franklin’s niece Sabrina Owens, announced that she was resigning as executive representative of her aunt’s estate. At the time she expressed her frustrations noting that the will had caused tension within their family. In a formal letter, Sabrina wrote:

“That is when relationships began to deteriorate with the heirs…She trusted me and was always confident I would exercise good judgment and try to make the best decisions on her behalf. She often said that I was ‘worth my weight in gold.'”

She continued:

“My primary goal was to honor my aunt by handling her business professionally, fairly and within the law. 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 new reports, Detroit lawyer Reginald Turner was appointed as interim manager of her estate Tuesday, as temporary personal representative or executor.

Aretha Franklin died in 2018 after battling cancer.

She was 76 at the time of her death. She died without a formal will. According to reports, tensions within the family emerged last spring when Sabrina Owens said handwritten wills were found in Franklin’s home. The latest document from 2014 indicates that Franklin wanted son Kecalf Franklin to run her estate.

Reportedly, the estate reported assets of $17 million at the end of August, including master recordings and publishing rights worth an estimated $10.5 million.