American Pickers’ Frank Fritz’s Will Reportedly Challenged After Death

Late American Pickers star Frank Fritz‘s will is reportedly being challenged four months after his death.

Fritz’s friend is demanding a trial to determine his estate, according to documents obtained by The U.S. Sun earlier this month. Fritz’s lawyer had filed a “will prior to death” in October 2023 to “safe keep” it, and a certificate was then issued for approval of the will after the reality star’s death.

Fritz suffered a stroke in July 2022, which caused his health to deteriorate. His loved ones later filed a conservatorship and guardianship on his behalf before his death in September 2024 at age 60 from the effects of a stroke. Fritz’s Crohn’s disease, which he battled for decades, may have played a role as well, according to a statement released by Fritz’s rep. Fritz was in a hospice facility and was surrounded by friends when he passed.

Four months after his death, an attorney representing a friend of Fritz’s entered his appearance in the case on her behalf. A separate lawyer filed a petition of probate to “set aside will and jury demand,” which means it is a request for the will to be canceled or invalidated legally. The outlet noted that Fritz is estimated to have a net worth of $6 million.

Related: ‘American Pickers’ Costars Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe’s Ups and Downs

American Pickers stars Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe had a lot of ups and downs in their decades-long friendship. The pair began working together on hit series in 2009 and the show premiered on the History Channel the following year. The series followed Wolfe and Fritz’s travels across the United States searching for antiques to […]

Fritz previously hosted American Pickers with Mike Wolfe for 10 years following its 2010 debut. Fritz exited the series in 2021 shortly after claiming to The Sun that he hadn’t “talked to Mike in two years.” Wolfe, 60, reacted to the onscreen shift in a statement to Us Weekly at the time.

“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani [Colby], and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding,” he said. “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”

Fritz’s last appearance on the History series was in March 2020, shortly before he underwent back surgery.

“I had a couple of rods put in there. It was from lifting stuff all the time. If you watch the show, you can see who the guy is that’s lifting all the time, it’s always me,” he told The Sun in July 2021. “It had been hurting for a long, long time. I’m talking months and months and months. Finally I had it looked at and they said it was about ready to split in half, the bones going up in the middle of my spine. They put a couple of big rods up the middle of my spine. I had to get 185 stitches and two rods in my back. I had the back injury but I can lift, I’m OK.”

Fritz was also outspoken about his battle with Crohn’s disease, adding, “There’s no cure, it’s like a dragon. Every day is a crapshoot. One day I could have a double chimichanga with hot sauce pouring out of it and have no problem. Another day I could have a piece of toast with some scrambled eggs and have a flare-up. I haven’t had any flare-ups recently. I’ve been really good and quit drinking.”

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One year later, Wolfe announced in July 2022 that Fritz was hospitalized after suffering a stroke.

“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on,” he wrote via Instagram. “There [have] 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. 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.”

Wolfe released a lengthy statement after Fritz’s passing, writing in October 2024, “It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night. 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. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”

He continued: “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. Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the shared 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. I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know [you’re] in a better place.”