Aretha may have wanted R-E-S-P-E-C-T, but instead got I-N-T-E-S-T-A-T-E.
According to reporting by CNN, Aretha Franklin died without a Will or Trust. This made me Think. An icon, a diva a woman who is Young, Gifted and Black, dying intestate is incredible (intestacy means that the State will determine who is in charge and the distribution of the assets). This is somewhat surprising, in some Respect, since there Ain’t No Way a legend would have neglected this important part of her legacy. But you are not Day Dreaming, the Natural Woman did not listen to the advice of her attorneys. Her attorneys tried to build that Bridge Over Troubled Water, and get her to get her wishes in writing. But Aretha was Rock Steady, and kept putting them off. Now her four children have to be Willing to Forgive, and file a probate in Michigan. It may work out, and I Say a Little Prayer that it does, but any time any estate is in court, you are not in control – it is up to the State.
Please forgive all of the puns with the song titles as we are well aware that a singer of Aretha Franklin’s magnitude should not be the center of any jokes. Aretha Franklin dies intestate and it is left to the state to decide what happens to the wealth and fortune that she worked so hard for. Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018 and her heirs are left to fight over her estate.
If you don’t want your family to suffer the same fate as Aretha’s, it is best to plan ahead for the inevitable and secure your legacy for future generations. Intestacy does not have to happen to you. Reach out to our estate planning attorneys so you can get an estate plan that takes your unique situation into account. You can reach us by phone by calling (888) 222-1328 for assistance from our caring staff members.
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
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