Kellie Pickler Sued by Dead Husband's Parents

Kelly Pickler sings during a holiday USO show in Bagram, Parwan province, Afghanistan , 2012. Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos. Public domain.

Country music star Kellie Pickler is locked in a heated legal battle with her late husband Kyle Jacobs’ parents, who accuse her of refusing to hand over items they claim belong to his estate. The dispute, which began after Kyle’s tragic death in 2023, has now escalated, with his parents, Reed and Sharon Jacobs, demanding that Pickler be held in contempt of court for allegedly ignoring a subpoena.

Who Are Kelly Pickler and Kyle Jacobs?

Kellie Pickler is a country singer, songwriter, and television personality who rose to fame as a finalist on American Idol in 2006. She went on to release several successful albums, including “Small Town Girl” and “100 Proof,” and had hits like “Red High Heels” and “Best Days of Your Life.” Beyond music, she won “Dancing With the Stars” in 2013 and starred in the CMT reality show “I Love Kellie Pickler” with her husband, songwriter and producer Kyle Jacobs. She also co-hosted the Emmy-nominated talk show “Pickler & Ben,” further cementing her name in entertainment.

Kyle Jacobs died by suicide on Feb. 17, 2023, at the age of 49. Pickler was home at the time of his death and, along with her assistant, called 911 after discovering a locked door in their house. When emergency responders arrived, they found Kyle deceased.

An official report stated that Kyle did not have drugs in his system at the time of his death but had a medical history of pseudoseizures, gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated liver enzymes, and chronic alcohol use. His cause of death was a gunshot wound.

The Fight Over Kyle’s Property

Reed and Sharon Jacobs, who were appointed administrators of Kyle’s estate, say they issued a subpoena to Pickler last year, requiring her to return specific belongings - including a collection of guns and swords, a Rolex^® watch, musical instruments, and sports memorabilia.

Pickler, however, disputes their claims. She argues that the items in question are either not in her possession or are subject to disagreement over ownership. She also maintains that no court order has been issued requiring her to comply with the subpoena, making the contempt request baseless.

Conflicting Claims

The situation took a turn when Pickler alleged that Reed and Sharon had already taken items from her home after Kyle’s death, though they deny this. Kyle’s parents say they only retrieved what Pickler had packed for them, but insist she is still holding onto additional estate property.

Among the disputed items are:

• Japanese Samurai sword

• 1957 J45 Gibson guitar

• McPherson KOA guitar

• Steinway Grand Model M piano

• Baseball card collection

• School awards and electronics

Kyle’s parents say their son’s prenuptial agreement clearly outlines which assets belong to his estate, further fueling their argument that Pickler has no right to keep these items.

Pickler Fights Back

In response to the Jacobs’ legal push, Pickler has asked the judge to seal her deposition, arguing that the legal fight has become unnecessarily aggressive. She continues to insist that the contempt petition has no legal merit and maintains that she has done nothing wrong.

The legal battle has only intensified the rift between Pickler and her former in-laws, making it unclear whether they will ever reach a peaceful resolution. For now, both sides remain firm in their positions - Kyle’s parents want his belongings returned, while Pickler refuses to surrender what she believes is rightfully hers. As the case heads to court, one thing is certain: this family feud is far from over.

References: Kellie Pickler’s Late Husband’s Parents Slam Singer For Allegedly Refusing to Comply With Subpoena | Kellie Pickler’s In-Laws Escalate Contempt Of Court Claims With Deposition Request | Kellie Pickler’s Battle With Late Husband’s Parents Takes Another Turn Amid Contempt Of Court Claims | Kellie Pickler