Exclusive: Legal Expert Analyzes Kellie Pickler’s Legal Dispute with In-Laws Regarding Late Husband’s Property

Kellie Pickler is currently involved in a legal battle with her late husband Kyle Jacobs’ parents over the ownership and division of his personal belongings following his suicide in 2023. Tennessee-based attorney Michael Crowder explained that probate cases like this can be difficult due to the public nature of the court proceedings and the emotional turmoil experienced by the family members involved. The dispute mainly focuses on tangible personal property, such as furniture, jewelry, guns, and musical instruments, which hold sentimental value rather than monetary worth.

Crowder mentioned that these types of disputes can often escalate into proxy wars for the family to work out deeper-seated issues that existed before the individual’s death. The key issue in Pickler’s case seems to be determining the ownership of the items in question, whether they belonged to her or her husband. While Reed and Sharon, as estate administrators, have the authority to possess Jacobs’ personal property, if the items were owned by Pickler, they should not have been taken without her permission.

The ownership of the belongings may require tracing the source of funds used to purchase the items, such as employment income or shared finances. The prenuptial agreement signed by Pickler and Jacobs at the time of their marriage could play a crucial role in determining the division of property. According to Crowder, the court may need to interpret the terms of the contract to decide how the assets should be distributed and whether the Jacobses have valid claims to collect the property as estate administrators.

Upon settling any outstanding debts and expenses, the estate’s administrator is responsible for distributing the remaining property to the heirs. In this case, since Pickler and Jacobs did not have children, Tennessee law typically allocates the entire estate to the spouse. However, the rights of inheritance can be modified by contract, such as a prenuptial agreement, which could impact the final division of assets. Crowder noted that families can also come to an agreement among themselves regarding the distribution of property, potentially avoiding further legal complications.

To maintain privacy, many details of the legal battle have been sealed from the public, and Reed and Sharon have requested information from the funeral home regarding Jacobs’ funeral service and cremation plans. While the funeral home has refused to comply with the request, it has not filed an objection. Crowder speculated that the Jacobses may be seeking information that could help them locate specific belongings of their son during the ongoing dispute. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) are available for support and assistance.