DO YOU WANT TO BE LIKE ARETHA FRANKLIN? DO YOU WANT TO DO ESTATE PLANNING IN MIAMI BEACH, FL AND PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES?

The “Queen of Soul” and one of my mother’s favorite musicians, most famous for her song “Respect”, died nearly three years ago from the late stages of pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018 at her home in Detroit. Even though she knew she was dying, Aretha Franklin died without proper planning, leaving her family in a heated court battle that continues to this day. 

 DID ARETHA FRANKLIN DO ANY PLANNING AT ALL?

Since the late singer’s death, four different wills have been discovered. Some of them are drafts and some are handwritten. Most importantly, they are all different as to Aretha’s wishes, leaving all matters up to the court to decide. Sadly, the family cannot even decide on who the personal representative should be and have asked the court to freeze all assets. 

WHY IS ARETHA FRANKLIN’S PROBATE CASE STILL GOING ON? 

This probate case is still ongoing three years later as shabby planning leads to a lot of drama and hardship on the loved one’s left behind. Aretha Franklin has four adult sons. To complicate matters, one of Aretha Franklin’s sons, Clarence Franklin, suffers from mental illness and has an appointed guardian and a separate attorney that represents him. Hopefully, the August 2021 anticipated trial takes place as planned and all of the matters will be resolved. 

WHAT COULD ARETHA FRANKLIN HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS THREE YEAR PROBATE CASE AND UPCOMING TRIAL?

Aretha Franklin could have hired an experienced estate planning attorney. Proper estate planning goes a long way. A revocable trust could have protected all four adult sons and kept family matters private. The trust could have special language to protect her son and name a trustee to watch over this money. Finally, estate planning prevents expensive bills related to drawn out court battles and tax planning could have been done as well as part of Aretha Franklin’s estate plan. If done properly, all matters could have been kept private within the family and the fighting could have been prevented as Aretha Franklin’s wishes were achieved.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE ALLY M. GLASER, PA TO HANDLE YOUR WILLS AND TRUSTS, ESTATE PLANNING IN MIAMI BEACH AND MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD PROBATE MATTERS?

As a Miami Beach Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts and Probate Attorney in Miami Beach with over twenty-five years of experience and both a Psychology and Law degree, I handle these matters with knowledge and sensitivity. I am familiar and comfortable with both the Broward County and Miami-Dade probate court system and know how to get things done. Additionally, because I do both estate planning and probate law, I am familiar with the challenges of each and provide my clients with additional protections. Call or email me today to discuss your Miami Beach Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts and Miami-Dade County Probate matters.  I am happy to help you and your loved ones during this important process.