Aretha Franklin's Will May Have Been A Piece Of Paper Shoved In Her Couch...Bonus - My 5 Favorite Things To Write On That Aren't Traditional Blank Pieces Of Paper

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NY Post- A handwritten document found stuffed in Aretha Franklin’s couch cushions is at the crux of a dispute over her $80 million dollar estate — with a Michigan jury seated Monday in the case tasked with deciding whether it’s a valid will.

The panel was chosen to oversee the Oakland County Probate trial between the Queen of Soul’s sons Kecalf and Edward Franklin — who believe the 2014 document is valid — and their brother, Ted White II, aka Teddy Richards, who wants a handwritten from 2010 to be honored instead.

Both documents were found in the “Respect” singer’s suburban Detroit home in 2019 — with the earlier one discovered in a closet and the later one unearthed from the sofa.

On Monday, Judge Jennifer Callaghan simplified the question for the jury, determining the panel must only render a verdict on the validity of the 2014 document — which crossed out Ted’s name as the executor of the estate, replacing it with Kecalf’s name.

Absolutely love this in terms of a good old fashion celebrity family squabble. Neither of these two sons seem to give a shit that their mom has died, nor that she was so successful to provide a life for the two of them to sit on their asses the rest of their lives. Instead they are simply asking where's the check , and when's it coming , and for how much? Real loving sons. Haven't seen a rift between a mother and son like this since George Jung's own mother ratted him out. 

Real loving sons…not. 

Who has less compassion…the Franklin boys or Mike Francesa when he learned Stan Lee died. 

The real comedy to me of this story is a jury having to deliberate if a handwritten note has legal validity for a will. Also the fact that Aretha Franklin…an absolute legend may have her future planning be decided via a piece of paper with scribbled writing shoved in the cushion of a LA-Z-BOY. Unreal. 

Got me to thinking having lived in a house, and now living in my own house where we paper is not always accessible or no one is shamed by writing on things that aren't paper…what are some of the things I use to jot things down or write out lists that aren't a traditional blank piece of paper. 

Now I personally think writing out things is a lost art. "Why do you need a pen and paper just put it in your phone?" …. To which my response is "Shut up". 

Maybe it's from growing up without smartphones, and looking up to my dad who had a distinct small pink work pad that we would find notes or lists around the house for years. Or maybe it's just being old school myself, but I am still very much a write things down guy. Last week at an unnamed golf event in North Carolina Big Cat asked me for something he gave me the night before back and I said "oh yeah that was on my list" and he goes "what else is on your list? " to which I pulled out a piece of cardboard with 3 things written on it. He shook his head . My wife does the same when I hand her something with notes that isn't paper. 

I wish I was as skilled as Christopher Moltisanti and could write out the cuts for Paulie and Patsy on a pillow case, but even I can't make that work. 

Let's be honest there's not always paper around. I feel like more often than not I am settling for something else and making it work. Here are some of my favorite things to write on that aren't traditional paper. 

5- Back of a Receipt 

Hard to manage…needs to be done on the dashboard of a car, or a strong table as receipt paper is super light so it goes through and rips easily but in a pinch I've done it. 

4- Back of a business card

This one takes skill. You gotta have small handwriting, neat handwriting and be skilled to fit things on such a small space. You also have to worry that such a small card can get lost. I like to use this in rare occurrences and only for super important info that I don't want many people to see…like my bets for the day. 

3- Cardboard 

Like I said, this was meant to be written on. Need to place a note about where you went for the day and don't feel like disrupting the Spotify playlist on your phone, just grab a piece of a pizza box on the counter and write "Hey hun went out for Uncrustables and Arizona Iced Tea be back in 20 xoxo". Very easy. Also can rip off a piece, write down some things to do and fold it to shove in your pocket. Easy. 

2- A paper plate 

A big shoutout to my guy Dan from high school who showed me this for the first time our sophomore year when I saw him pull a paper plate out of his pocket before we went out. I asked him what the hell that was, and he said it was all the phone numbers he ever  needed on one plate. He saves it every night and kept it for when he left the house. He had no cellphone, or if he did he didn't bring it out with him because he was one of those guys that seemed to always be with who he wanted to be with and didn't need to check in on others or try to find a different party. So anytime he did have to call he would whip out his paper plate, borrow one of our phones and dial away. Loved the move, and added paper plates into my rotation of things to take notes on. 

1 - Back of an envelope

My bread and butter. That old Verizon bill? The cable bill? Any envelope ever? It's just dying to be written on for a list sat the store. Milk, eggs, fabric softener, boom. I almost prefer not finding paper so I can whip out the back of an envelope and make my lists. 

Is this just me or do people still write things down at all? Or are some people too stuck up they need traditional pen and paper? Either way, I think it's safe to say my will, it will likely be written on the back of an envelope in my pocket. 

Bonus- Aretha kills this in Blues Brothers