A Tennessee court sided with Kellie Pickler and shut down the subpoena issued by the country star’s in-laws, Us Weekly can exclusively report.
On Tuesday, November 25, the judge presiding over the bitter court battle between Pickler and Reed Jacobs and Sharon Jacobs, the parents of her late husband, Kyle Jacobs, issued his ruling.
Kyle, a successful country songwriter, died by suicide in February 2023, at the age of 49. Pickler, 39, wed Kyle in 2011.
In the recent court order, the judge said the subpoena issued by Reed and Sharon was “unusual on its face.” Specifically, the judge said the paperwork was improperly completed.
In addition, he said the subpoena contains a list of assets for Pickler to bring.
Kellie Pickler’s late husband Kyle Jacobs’ cause of death has been confirmed nearly three months after his death, according to multiple outlets. A spokesperson for the Davidson Country Medical Examiner told E! News on Tuesday, May 9, that Jacobs died by suicide in February. However, a toxicology report concluded there were no signs of drugs […]
“They are not papers for inspection or copying that can be easily supplied to counsel or transported to the location listed in the subpoena,” the judge said. “Rather, they are numerous and, in some instances, large/heavy items of tangible personal property.” The order noted that Pickler pointed out that it might even be illegal for her to transport some of the firearms requested by Reed and Sharon.
“The court is unclear about [Reed and Sharon’s] expectations regarding the subpoena. It appears that [Reed and Sharon] may have expected that issuing the subpoena would cause [Pickler] to simply turn the requested items over to them. Or, in the alternative, they may have simply expected to be given the opportunity to inspect or make an inventory of the items,” the order read.
Kyle Jacobs and Kellie Pickler Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
The court said Reed and Sharon issued the subpoenas as part of Kyle’s estate. The judge said Reed and Sharon have not filed a complaint or petition against Pickler, which means they cannot issue the subpoena. “The court concludes that the subpoena is void and unenforceable in this estate administration case,” the order read. The judge said Reed and Sharon may be able to issue the subpoena in a separate case filed by Pickler against them.
As Us previously reported, Reed and Sharon took over Kyle’s estate after Pickler declined to serve as the administrator.
In 2024, Pickler filed a petition claiming she needed the court to intervene in a dispute with Reed and Sharon over Kyle’s property.
Kellie Pickler and husband Kyle Jacobs bonded over their musical backgrounds — but they chose to take their time before getting hitched. The American Idol alum met her future husband in the mid-2000s through a mutual friend. While playing Us Weekly’s “Newlywed Game” in December 2015, the couple both recalled Jacobs’ pickup line as, “Hi, […]
“A dispute has arisen amongst the parties regarding certain personal property allegedly in [Kyle’s] possession prior to his death,” the American Idol alum’s petition read.
Kellie Pickler Jason Kempin/Getty Images
The subpoena said Pickler was in possession of Kyle’s property and demanded that it be produced.
The items included Kyle’s large gun collection, gun safe, Rolex watch, Garmin watch, cuff links, all rings but his wedding ring, a 1957 J45 Gibson guitar, a McPherson KOA guitar, baseball card albums, school awards, iPhone and other laptops, a Steinway Grand Model M piano and several family photo albums.
In court documents, Pickler’s lawyer said, “Included in the List of Assets are items that [Pickler] either does not have in her possession or over which right, title and possession are disputed.”
Kellie Pickler Jason Kempin/Getty Images
“[Pickler] and her counsel have provided conflicting information regarding the location and rightful possession of the items listed and, as set forth hereinabove, have admitted [Pickler] is in possession of several items of property of [Kyle],” a lawyer for Reed and Sharon wrote in response.
The singer’s lawyers asked the court to order Pickler to be named the “sole beneficiary” of Kyle’s estate and that all property be awarded to her.
Kellie Pickler’s ongoing legal battle with her late husband Kyle Jacobs’ parents could get “complicated,” according to a legal expert. “Probate cases can be very difficult for all involved. What should otherwise be intimate family matters are made public in a court of law,” Tennessee-based attorney and estate planner Michael Crowder, who has no connection […]
Pickler also said her former in-laws “may have already distributed items or assets to themselves (or others) or expended estate funds.” She asked for a full accounting report on the distribution of Kyle’s property.
In a separate filing, Reed and Sharon’s lawyer argued, “It is difficult to know how to respond once again to the latest vitriol in [Pickler’s court filing].
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“[Reed and Sharon] are the proud parents of a son who grew into a highly successful … songwriter … who tragically took his life at a young age,” Reed and Sharon’s filing read “To suggest that his parents’ actions here could be perceived as anything other than an effort to bring his sad chapter (the probate process) to a speedy close is shockingly callous and lacking in empathy.”
The legal battle is ongoing.
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