‘American Pickers’ star at center of legal battle months after his death
‘American Pickers’ star at center of legal battle months after his death
A legal battle is brewing over the estate of former “American Pickers” star Frank Fritz, according to multiple reports.
Fritz died on Sept. 30, 2024 from complications following a stroke. He was 60. Fritz reportedly filed a “will prior to death” back on October 2023, and a certificate was reportedly issued for the approval of that will on Oct. 18, 2024 following his death.
But, according to the reports, an attorney representing an unnamed friend of Fritz’s “entered his appearance in the case on her behalf,” and a different attorney filed a Petition in Probate to “set aside will and jury demand,” earlier this month, per Parade.
Sounds confusing, but the site said that means the request is for the filed will to be “canceled or invalidated legally.”
Parade said Fritz’s net worth was estimated to be around $6 million at the time of his death, so there figures to be a healthy estate left for whoever gets it. That means this will be an interesting one to watch as it plays out.
Fritz reportedly first suffered a debilitating stroke in 2022, and his former “American Pickers” co-star, Mike Wolfe, asked everyone to pray in a post on Instagram.
“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on,” Wolfe wrote. “There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.
“Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital,” he continued. “Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts. Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.” Fritz remained out of the public after his health issues began.
Wolfe returned to Instagram to remember his friend following his death last year.
“I’ve known Frank for more than half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,” he wrote. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.
“Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures,” he continued. “Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just shared the passion to discover something interesting and historic. We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home.
