Judge designates 6 people as heirs to Prince’s fortune
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Prince performed at the May 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In a ruling made public today, a Minnesota judge ruled that Prince’s six siblings are the heirs to his estate, more than a year after the pop superstar died of a drug overdose.
MINNEAPOLIS >> More than a year after Prince’s death, a Carver County judge has officially determined that the musician’s sister and five half-siblings are heirs to his massive fortune.
Judge Kevin Eide today ruled that Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, and Omarr Baker, Alfred Jackson, Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson and John R. Nelson will divide an estate valued at $100 million to $300 million before taxes.
Prince left no will, but all six had been considered the likely heirs since his accidental overdose death last April.
A formal declaration of Prince’s heirs would give others a year to present credible claims that they also should be included. Eide has already ruled several ineligible. Some of them have objected to making a final heirship determination, noting that their appeals of his rulings are pending at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
In his ruling, Eide said if the Court of Appeals or state Supreme Court decide there are other heirs, the district court would review the cases. No distribution of assets can happen without a formal order from Eide. No assets will be distributed that might adversely affect those who are challenging their right as heirs before the higher courts make any rulings, Eide said.
