Kellie Pickler Expands Legal Team in Ugly Court Battle With Late Husband’s Parents

Kellie Pickler expanded her legal team as she continue to fight her late husband Kyle Jacobs’ parents in court over his property, In Touch can exclusively report.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Kellie, 38, hired attorney John I. Harris from the law firm Schulman, LeRoy & Bennett to serve as cocounsel with her existing legal team, William Harbison, Lisa Helton and Andrea Sinclair.

Based on his law firm profile, John has experience in probate and estate planning. In addition, Kellie’s new lawyer said he “handles cases involving firearms and explosive laws.”

His profile notes, “In that area of his practice, he handles matters involving Second Amendment rights; matters involving the operation and use of firing ranges; statutory and regulatory matters involving firearms and explosive licensees regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; proceedings challenging governmental license revocation proceedings; proceedings to restore civil rights; and appeals from the denial or revocation of civilian handgun permit applications and licensure denials.”

Kellie Pickler and Kyle

“Mr. Harris teaches continuing legal education courses on the issues of firearms and the use of deadly force under Tennessee law,” his profile continued.

Kyle died on February 17, 2023, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the couple’s home. He was 49.

Kellie was home at the time of the incident but was asleep. After his death, Kellie decided not to serve as administrator of Kyle’s estate despite being his wife.

Kyle’s parents, Reed and Sharon Jacobs, were appointed coadministrators after the singer declined to serve.

Late last year, Kellie filed a petition against Reed and Sharon. “A dispute has arisen amongst the parties regarding certain personal property allegedly [Kyle’s] possession prior to his death,” Kellie’s petition read.

Kellie said Kyle’s parents drafted a list of Kyle’s alleged assets that they demanded she turn over via a subpoena.

Kellie said the list included items that she either did not have or “over which right, title and possession are disputed.”

Kellie Pickler

Kellie claimed Sharon and Reed came to her home to pick up Kyle’s items after his death. The American Idol alum said Kyle’s parents never provided her a list of the items they took.

In the subpoena that Kyle’s parents sent Kellie, they demanded she turn over his gun collection that included three rifles, seven pistols and one shotgun, his swords, including his Samurai Japanese sword, Rolex watch, Garmin watch, a 1957 J45 Gibson guitar, a McPherson KOA Guitar, a plastic bin of baseball card albums, school awards, a Steinway Grand Model M piano and a viola.

Kellie asked the court to step in and determine who owns the property.

Reed and Sharon scoffed at Kellie’s suit. They said, “[Kellie] and her counsel have provided conflicting information regarding the location and rightful possession of the items listed and, as set forth hereinabove, have admitted [Kellie] is in possession of several items of property of [Kyle].”

Kyle’s parents admitted they picked up some of Kyle’s property at Kellie’s home but said Kellie had invited them. They claimed she had packed up some items in the garage for them to take but that was all they took from the home.

The legal battle is ongoing.

As In Touch first reported, Sharon and Reed asked the court to find Kellie in contempt of court for refusing to comply with a subpoena. Kellie argued there is no order issued by the court “enforcing the subpoena.”

Back in August 2023, Kellie spoke out about Kyle’s death.

“One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don’t know what to do, ‘do nothing, just be still.’ I have chosen to heed his advice,” the singer said. “Thank you to my family, friends and supporters, for the countless letters, calls and messages that you have sent my way.”