Kellie Pickler's Late Husband's Parents Accuse Her of Lacking Empathy, Blocking Them From Home
s late husband Kyle Jacobs’ parents escalated their feud with the singer in court and fought her demand they be removed as administrators of their son’s estate, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, and fired back at Kellie’s recent moves in court.
Kyle, a songwriter who worked with Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and countless other country stars, died on February 17, 2023, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 49.
Following his death, Reed and Sharon were appointed as administrators of their late son’s estate after Kellie, 36, declined to take on the role. Kellie and Kyle’s parents have been battling over his property for over a year.
Reed and Sharon said Kellie provided them with her inventory of Kyle’s property in May 2023.
Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs.
“Over the course of the ensuing twelve months, [Reed and Sharon] attempted informally to recover those items through discussions with [Kellie] and her counsel; those efforts; however, had limited success,” their lawyer explained.
They claimed Kellie “agreed to turn over several items but had not done so. In addition, as to at least some of the items, [Kellie] admitted having them but subsequently maintained she could not find them.”
As In Touch first reported, Reed and Sharon fired off a subpoena to Kellie demanding she appear at their lawyer’s office with Kyle’s property.
The items Reed and Sharon asked to be returned included Kyle’s gun collection, firearm suppressors, a large gun safe, custom knives, swords, a Rolex watch, a Garmin watch, jewelry, including cuff links, all rings, a 1957 J45 Gibson guitar, a McPherson KOA guitar, baseball card albums, school awards, military challenge coins, his iPhone, work laptop, hard drive, external hard drive, Steinway Grand Model M piano, viola and various additional property.
Reed and Sharon said they tried to work out a mutually agreeable date and method for production of the items for several months.
In addition, Kyle’s parents accused Kellie of forbidding them from entering the home she shared with their son and where he died. They admit Kellie allowed them over, with her lawyer, one time after Kyle’s death but never again.
“Instead, on two subsequent occasions, [Kellie] insisted she would have items of personal property moved to the home’s garage, for subsequent pickup by [Reed and Sharon] under supervision arranged by [Kellie]. On the first such occasion, [Kellie] forbade [Sharon] from being on the property,” their lawyer alleged.
Kyle Jacobs and Kellie Pickler.
The lawyer added, “On the second such occasion, [Kellie] refused to allow either [Reed or Sharon] on the property, and instead insisted [Reed and Sharon] engage and pay for a professional moving company to remove the items from her garage. Both occasions were supervised by an individual selected by [Kellie].”
Reed and Sharon said Kellie delivered additional items following the issuance of the subpoena but they have reached an “impasse” in further attempts to have Kellie turn over additional items. Kellie sold the home in question for $2.3 million in May 2024.
As In Touch first reported, Kellie then filed a petition in August 2024 asking the court to intervene. She claimed there was a dispute over the property in question. Her lawyer admitted “a dispute has arisen amongst the parties regarding certain personal property allegedly [Kyle’s] possession prior to his death.”
Earlier this year, Reed and Sharon asked the court to find Kellie in contempt for failing to comply with the subpoena.
Kellie scoffed at the request claiming the subpoena was not issued by the court or enforceable.
Kellie Pickler.
In response, Reed and Sharon’s lawyer wrote, “It is difficult to know how to respond once again to the latest vitriol in [Kellie’s court filing]. [Reed and Sharon] are the proud parents of a son who grew into a highly successful, talent … songwriter … who tragically took his life at a young age.”
Their lawyer added, “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.”
Reed and Sharon’s lawyer asked the court to take note of Kellie’s “continued invective in suggesting that [Reed and Sharon] (or any parent of a deceased child) would utilize the judicial process in such a way that serves only to prolong their suffering and anguish. [Kellie] has taken what should have been a simple matter and turned it into a highly personal crucible, painting herself as the tragic victim.”
As In Touch first reported, Kellie recently asked the court for permission to file an amended petition with new accusations against Reed and Sharon.
The new petition demanded Reed and Sharon be removed as administrator of Kyle’s estate, along with full accounting for the work they have done so far. She also asked to be named the sole heir and beneficiary of Kyle’s estate.
In the newly filing, Reed and Sharon asked that Kellie not be allowed to amend her petition.
They argued they should not be removed as administrators.
The court has yet to rule.