Eide asked a packed probate court hearing a series of questions, including whether anyone knew of a will, if there were any indications Prince did not live in Carver County or if there were any objections to appointing Bremer.
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The exact value of Prince’s estate has not yet been disclosed, but his music catalogue alone has been estimated at over $500 million.
According to the judge, all of his beneficiaries – Tyka and half-siblings Norrine and Sharon Nelson, Omarr Baker and Alfred Jackson – except for his half-brother John Nelson, agreed to the bank’s appointment.
Hopkins said the bigger the estate, the greater the likelihood there will be a dispute by claimants that could take years to settle.
Amused by the sight of all the reporters packing the courtroom in usually sleepy suburban Minneapolis, Eide said “we’re not used to this kind of notoriety here in Carver County”.
All the relatives but John Nelson signed consent forms supporting the selection of the special administrator, which will be in charge of identifying and protecting Prince’s assets for six months or until another manager can be selected.
Prince left no will to his estate at the time of his April 21st death, which might create an environment of legal grappling that in turn could prevent the release of any posthumous material from the singer’s stacked musical vaults.
Prince’s family attended a probate hearing on Monday (May 2) in Chaska, Minn.
Some of Prince’s siblings learned of Johnston’s existence only several days ago, the celebrity news website TMZ reported, adding that she claims to share a mother with the singer.
A lawyer for Bremer Bank and Trust – the institution appointed to handle the estate – said the bank is continuing to search for a will. According to Minnesota law, Prince’s estate would be divided among his siblings.
Eide said he’s not ruling yet that there is no will, just that one has not been found yet.
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“I find it so hard to believe, ‘ Younger said, noting how meticulous Prince was to keeping control of his music and other business affairs”.
