In addition to a filing by Aretha's four sons, Franklin's niece has asked the court to appoint her as a personal representative of the estate, the Detroit Free Press has reported. It said under Michigan law, if an unmarried person dies without a will, his or her assets are divided equally among any children.

Franklin's lawyer has represented her in entertainment matters for nearly three decades, and told the paper that he constantly asked her to do a trust, but she never got around to it."I was after her for a number of years to do a trust," Los Angeles attorney Don Wilson told the paper. " It would have expedited things and kept them out of probate and kept things private."

Franklin is not alone.

Here is a list of some notable people and celebrities who died intestate.

What is a Will?

A will is a legal document that sets forth your wishes regarding the distribution of your property and the care of your children. To maximize the likelihood that your wishes are carried out, you want a will that is set forth in writing, and signed by you and your witnesses .

Without a will, the division and distribution of your estate is governed by the laws of intestacy in your state.

If you are survived by a spouse and children, your estate is usually divided between your spouse and children, for example in Pennsylvania 50% spouse, 50% children. New York's intestacy laws provide that the surviving spouse will inherit the first $50,000 of the deceased spouse's probate estate and then of the remainder 50% to the surviving spouse and 50% to the other descendants, per stirpes .

If you have only children (or grandchildren), the estate is divided among your children (and grandchildren).

If you have neither spouse, children, nor grandchildren, the estate is distributed to your parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or cousins, depending on who survives you.

A person must be appointed to serve as the administrator of your estate, to collect and marshal your assets and settle your estate. That person must act in a fiduciary capacity.

Single parents may wish to consider these consequences of dying without a will

• If you have minor children who inherit from you, a court will appoint a guardian for the children's estates (also known as "guardian of the property", until they reach the age of majority.
• If you have minor children and your husband or wife did not survive you, a court will appoint a guardian for their persons .