Kellie Pickler has a major legal battle on her hands after taking her late husband’s family to court, but she’ll find justice even if it means months of headaches and heartbreak, a source exclusively tells In Touch.
“She doesn’t believe families should exploit and prey on a grieving widow, which is what she thinks Reed and Sharon Jacobs are doing to her,” the insider says.
Kellie’s husband of 12 years, Kyle Jacobs, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in February 2023 at age 49. His death was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner in a report that stated he suffered “pseudoseizures, gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated liver enzymes, and chronic alcohol use.” The songwriter declined to serve as administrator of his estate, so his parents, Reed and Sharon Jacobs, stepped in as co-administrators.
However, in court documents obtained by In Touch, the American Idol alum alleges Reed and Sharon “entered [her] home and obtained items of personal property after [Kyle’s] death.” She adds that they, “have demanded – via a subpoena issued in the probate estate directed to [Kellie] – that [Kellie] deliver to the possession of their legal counsel,” according to the lawsuit.
Some of the items on the list in the parents’ subpoena include personal items of Kyle’s – his gun collection, swords, Rolex watch, guitars, baseball cards, school awards, a piano, among other personal effects. They’re reportedly basing their demands on a prenup signed by Kellie and their son, who was a successful songwriter who wrote songs for some big names in country, including Garth Brooks, Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Tim McGraw, Clay Walker, Kelly Clarkson, among others.
But the country star stated via her lawyer she either doesn’t have possession of, know the location of or want to give up certain items and will dispute the subpoena. On Wednesday, December 11, In Touch reported that she’s petitioned a court to step in and mediate the problem, firmly planting her foot down and telling her in-laws she won’t be pushed around.
The insider says that even though “there’s no denying Kellie’s going through a hard time,” it’s unlikely she’ll relent, considering she’s already refused the order so far. “She really believes this is important and that she needs to take a stand against the wrong that has been done against her.”
Kellie is staying true to her words from August 2023, when she said, “One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don’t know what to do, ‘do nothing, just be still.”
“So, she’s going to stick with it, no matter how heavy the cost, because she believes she’s in the right. It’s not something she wanted to do but she’s not the kind of person to sit back and let people walk all over her. She’s doing this for Kyle as much as for herself.”
“I have chosen to heed his advice. Thank you to my family, friends, and supporters, for the countless letters, calls, and messages that you have sent my way. It has truly touched my soul and it’s helping me get through the darkest time in my life. As many of you have told me, you are all in my prayers,” she told People.
