Known for his role on the TV show American Pickers, Frank Fritz died in September 2024 at age 59 following a stroke in 2022 that left him bedridden. His death profoundly affected the worlds of antique collecting and reality TV, as viewers grieved the death of TV star, recognized for his charm and keen eye for hidden gems.
However, the tragedy has taken an unexpected turn with suspicions about his will have set off a bitter family conflict that could eclipse his legacy. Barely four months after Frank’s death, his father has emerged with shocking allegations that the will allegedly penned by his late son is not valid.
William Fritz, Frank Fritz’s father, files a suit claiming son’s will is fake
‘American Pickers’ star Frank Fritz’s will challenged months after his death at 60: report https://t.co/THlchL1Iju pic.twitter.com/uDoLvz2TBq
— New York Post (@nypost) February 11, 2025
According to reports, Frank’s legal team had previously filed a “will prior to death,” which was approved by a court on October 18, 2024, just weeks after his death. The document was claimed to be the official representation of his final wishes. However, Frank’s father, William Fritz, has raised concerns about the validity of the will, which he tagged “fake”, alleging that his son could not have drafted such a document.
His lawyer, Cory Gourley, has taken the matter to court, and filed a petition to challenge the will’s authenticity. He argued that Frank, who was seriously incapacitated at the time the will was executed, was under a conservatorship, thus making him unfit to make such significant legal decisions.
Asides questions about Frank’s mental and physical capacity at the time, Gourley also mentioned the procedures followed in the execution of the will. He contended that the document was neither properly signed nor witnessed, which are important legal conditions for a will to be considered valid.
Frank Fritz’s friends deny the allegations made by his father, William Fritz
Two of Frank’s close friends have come forward to refute the claims made by his father, William Fritz, regarding the validity of the late American Pickers star’s will. In an interview with The Des Moines Register, one of the friends stated categorically that Frank was “definitely in his right mind” when he finalized the will and was fully capable of making his own decisions.
The friends said they were rather taken aback when they heard about William’s lawsuit, especially because they had been carefully making plans to organize a celebration of life to honor their late friend in Spring, an event they believe would honor his legacy and also unite those who loved and respected him.