Kellie Pickler Moves For More Legal Power As Battle With In-Laws Intensifies

Kellie Pickler is not backing down in the legal clash with her in-laws over her late husband, Kyle Jacobs' estate, and has brought in extra muscle to prove it.

The singer is enlisting powerhouse attorney John I. Harris to join her already stacked legal team. Her latest move comes as she challenges the validity of a subpoena connected to Jacobs' parents, refusing to let it pressure her into compliance.

Kellie Pickler and the Jacobs family have been at odds for almost two years after the beloved songwriter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the couple's home.

Pickler brought attorney John I. Harris from Schulman, LeRoy & Bennett onto her already formidable legal team, which includes William Harbison, Lisa Helton, and Andrea Sinclair.

This strategic move follows a rising dispute over items allegedly belonging to her late husband. Pickler is contesting a subpoena sent by Jacobs' parents, Reed and Sharon, who were appointed co-administrators of his estate after Pickler initially declined the role. 

The subpoena demanded a long list of possessions, from a Rolex and rare guitars to a Samurai sword and even baseball cards. Per In Touch, Pickler argued that many of the items are either not in her possession or "over which right, title, and possession are disputed."

She also revealed that Jacobs's parents took several items from her home after his passing without ever giving her a record of what they took.

In a fiery response to Pickler's recent legal filing, Reed and Sharon fired back, arguing that Pickler and her legal team have provided inconsistent statements about the whereabouts of several personal items that belonged to their late son.

"[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]," the couple stated in court docs.

While Pickler claimed she never received a clear list of what was taken, Jacobs's parents countered that she had actually invited them to her home after his death and had even pre-packed items in the garage for them to collect.

The 38-year-old has enlisted attorney John I. Harris of Schulman, LeRoy & Bennett, a Nashville-based lawyer with decades of experience across civil, business, and probate law.

According to his law firm's profile, Harris brings a unique edge to the courtroom with a specialty in firearms law, a noteworthy skill set given the nature of the estate battle, including disputes over Jacobs's gun collection.  

His resume also includes representing clients in estate planning, business litigation, and medical negligence cases. 

A Vanderbilt University graduate, Harris has practiced law since 1986 and is known for tackling complex cases involving Second Amendment rights and regulatory disputes with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

On March 28, Pickler filed court documents requesting that a judge block a subpoena issued by her former in-laws. The Blast reported that the actress pushed back against the demand, arguing that the subpoena was not a valid court order and should not result in her being held in contempt.

She insisted the disagreement over her late husband's belongings belonged in civil court, not probate. In the motion, Pickler accused the couple of attempting to sidestep proper legal channels to take control of contested property. 

She argued the subpoena placed unreasonable demands on her, requiring her to transport bulky and potentially hazardous items like firearms, a gun safe, and a grand piano to a law office within a short period.

The couple first met in the mid-2000s through mutual friends, quickly forging a professional bond, with both sharing a passion for songwriting. 

According to Life&Style, their relationship blossomed from work to romance, ending in a beautiful island wedding in 2011 after abandoning their initial plans to marry in Nashville.

Pickler often praised the late songwriter for making her feel incredibly special, sharing, "He always tells me he likes me better with no makeup on and sweatpants. He makes me feel the most beautiful when I'm with him. As long as I'm healthy, then he is fine with whatever I wear."

The late musician worked with some of country music's biggest stars, including Kelly Clarkson, Scotty McCreery, and Trace Adkins.

With her latest legal moves, Kellie Pickler is clearly prepared to fiercely protect her late husband's estate and ensure her rights are upheld in the ongoing battle with his parents.