Legal Experts Say Case Highlights The Importance Of Making A Will

Legal experts say that the case of Prince reportedly not leaving a Will could see his grieving family face the upheaval of a lengthy court process.

The sister of the late musician has said her brother had no known will and has filed paperwork asking a Minneapolis court to appoint a special administrator to oversee his estate.

Tyka Nelson, the singer’s only surviving full sibling, filed the paperwork on Tuesday in Carver County probate court.

Prince died Thursday, aged 57, at his estate in Minneapolis leaving the world in shock.

No cause of death has yet been released.

In her filing Nelson claims that an emergency exists because immediate action is necessary to manage Prince’s business interests.

She’s asked that Bremer Trust, a corporate trust company, be named administrator.

The media has reported that with around $27 million in property and an outpouring of nostalgia over the pop star's death prompting download sales to rocket, Nelson and Prince's half-siblings could stand to inherit a small fortune, despite recent disputes suggesting money was tight.

The most recent estimate of the hitmaker's fortune is under than $150million.

It has been claimed that Prince never made a will because he was scared of being 'screwed over' by putting his signature on legal documents, and is said to have been 'paranoid' after having problems with contracts in his younger years as an emerging star.

Specialist Will Dispute lawyer for law firm Irwin Mitchell, Paula Myers, said the case illustrated the importance of leaving a Will.

Expert Opinion

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things any of us have to go through and the grieving process can be made even more difficult when there is a dispute over a Will.

Whilst it’s not unheard of, it’s highly unusual for a person of Prince’s stature to die without leaving a Will and it this is likely this will result in his family having to endure a lengthy court process.

In the first six years after Michael Jackson died his estate made almost $2bn and it is highly likely that Prince’s estate will grow following his tragic passing.

Prince’s tragic case highlights the fact that having an up to date Will and leaving clear direction of how you want your estate to be dealt with, can save surviving family members the anguish of having to go to court at a time when they are coming to terms with a death.
Paula Myers - Partner