Aretha Franklin’s Sister-In-Law Seeks Compensation for Caring for Singer before Death: Report

Aretha Franklin was nursing her illness for months before her death and it appears her sister-in-law was helping her through it. Now she’s demanding to be paid for caring for the singer.

Earline Franklin, the wife of Aretha’s brother, Cecil Franklin has filed documents in court claiming to be paid for her caregiving services from April to August 2018. According to the documents obtained by the Blast, she’s requesting for a total of $43,000 to cover the whole period.

The breakdown of the amount includes monthly payments of $16,740 (for April), $17,298 for May, $16,470 for June, $17,298 for July and $4,464 (for August). She also requested to be paid $5,000 for “Return of Air Fore Military Flag.”

Though Earline has requested for full payment as soon as possible, it’s unclear if her demands will be met immediately considering the ongoing power struggle over the legendary performer’s estate.

We’ve reported in the past that opposing parties are vying for control of the estate estimated at $80 million. On one camp is the singer’s niece, Sabrina Owens who was appointed as the executor of her estate when it was initially thought that the singer did not leave a will.

However, several handwritten wills were later discovered complicating matters further. This led two of the singer’s four sons, Theodore White and Kecalf Cunningham to take interest in managing her estate too.

The two brothers are working together to bar Owens from making any decisions on behalf of their mother. They’ve accused her of mismanagement and lack of transparency with regards to her negotiations concerning the estate.

In light of the ongoing case, the court will temporarily handle decisions on behalf of Franklin’s estate including the sale of properties. In the meantime, Sabrina remains as the personal representative for the estate until the handwritten wills are validated by the court.