Could Aretha Franklin's newly discovered, handwritten wills hold up in court?

Wills allegedly discovered in home

DETROIT – Questions are swirling about whether newly discovered, handwritten wills found months after singer Aretha Franklin's death could hold up in court.

View the wills here.

The most recent will is dated March 2014. That one appears to give the singer's assets to family members.

Some writing is very difficult to decipher and the four pages have words scratched out and phrases written in the margins.

Probate attorney Danielle Mayoras thinks the document could be used in court.

"The judge is going to have a hearing. In order for a holographic will to be binding, it needs to be dated, it needs to be signed and a substantial part of it needs to be in the testator's handwriting, which it appears that it is," she said.

Mayoras said the 2014 document might not stand in court, but she said she thinks one found in 2010 may be a "slam dunk."


About the Authors:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Plannerâ„¢ Professional.