Franklin's lawyer says the Queen of Soul wasn't against a will made, but she simply ran out of time.

AceShowbiz - Aretha Franklin's lawyer tried unsuccessfully to convince the Queen of Soul to write a will before she passed away last month.

Don Wilson explains the late icon wasn't against having a will made, but she simply ran out of time.

"I tried to convince her that she should do not just a will, but a trust, while she was still alive," he tells the Associated Press.

"She never told me, 'No, I don't want to do one.' She understood the need. It just didn't seem to be something she got around to."

According to People.com, Franklin's other lawyer, David J. Bennett, recently filed papers in Michigan's Oakland County court confirming she was not married at the time of her death, and also recognising the four adult children who will split her estate equally, as per state law. Her niece is acting as the executor.

Aretha, whose estate is estimated to be worth $80 million (£62.1 million), reportedly had $2 million (£1.5 million) in property in Michigan, and had ownership of the songs she wrote.

"I would imagine she probably felt she was entitled to more (earnings from her songs), but probably received more than a lot of artists from the time, especially African-American artists," Wilson adds.

The lawyer's comments emerge days after her friend Ron Moten addressed the singer's children during Friday's (August 31) funeral, and urged them to take their time handling the singer's affairs.

"Remember your family and friends that have been with you for years," he said, "because you are about to meet a lot of people who will now want to be your new best friend. You will also meet some people that will have the best investments in the world for you. My advice? Go slow, be careful and be smart."

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