What Happened
Prince died at Paisley Park, his home and studio complex in Chanhassen, in April 2016. He was 57. According to reports, he had no spouse, no surviving children, and no will. That one gap in planning led to what has been described as one of the most complicated probate cases Minnesota has ever seen.
Because there was no will, Minnesota’s default inheritance rules decided who would inherit. Lawyers call this process intestate succession. Under those rules, the estate passed to his siblings, a group of six that included half-siblings. According to reports, confirming who the legal heirs were took about a year, partly because a number of people came forward claiming they were related to him.
The value of the estate became its own dispute. Reports indicate that the bank administering the estate first valued it at roughly $82.3 million. The IRS put the figure at about $163.2 million. The parties eventually settled on $156.4 million in early 2022. That number mattered because it determined the tax bill. After taxes, court records reportedly showed about $104.8 million left to distribute. Legal and administrative costs over the years reportedly reached tens of millions of dollars.
Two of the heirs reportedly died before the case ended. In 2022, a judge approved a final arrangement that divided the estate roughly in half. One half went to a New York music company that had bought most of the inheritance interests of three siblings. The other half went to the remaining three siblings or their families. According to reports, the two groups now share control of the music rights and related businesses, including Paisley Park.
Who May Be Liable
Nothing in public reporting suggests that anyone acted unlawfully in handling Prince’s estate. Still, his case shows who can be held responsible when an estate in Minnesota is mishandled:
- Personal representatives (executors or administrators). The person or institution appointed to manage an estate owes fiduciary duties, meaning a legal obligation to act in the best interests of heirs and creditors. A representative who mismanages assets, engages in self-dealing, or fails to keep heirs informed could be liable.
- Corporate fiduciaries. When a bank or trust company serves as administrator, it is held to the same duties as an individual and may be held to a professional standard of care.
- Professional advisers. In some circumstances, an attorney, accountant, or appraiser whose negligent work causes a loss could be liable. One example is a drafting error that invalidates a will.
- Individuals who take or redirect assets. A family member, caregiver, or other person who allegedly pressured a vulnerable person or removed property before or after death may have to return it.
Legal Theories That May Apply
- Intestate succession: Minnesota’s probate code sets out who inherits when there is no valid will, starting with a spouse and descendants, then parents, then siblings and their descendants.
- Determination of heirship: This is a court proceeding to establish who the legal heirs are. It can involve birth records or DNA evidence.
- Breach of fiduciary duty: Heirs may bring this claim against a personal representative or trustee who allegedly mismanaged, misused, or neglected estate assets.
- Removal of a personal representative: Interested persons can ask the court to replace a representative who is allegedly acting improperly or not acting at all.
- Will contest: Where a will exists, it may be challenged for undue influence, lack of mental capacity, fraud, or improper signing.
- Demand for an accounting: Heirs can ask the court to order a full record of what the estate received, spent, and distributed.
- Conversion or unjust enrichment: These claims may apply when someone allegedly took or kept property that belongs to the estate.
Damages Victims May Recover
In probate disputes, recovery often looks different than in an injury case. Depending on the facts, heirs and beneficiaries may be able to recover:
- Their rightful share of the inheritance
- A surcharge, which is a court order requiring a fiduciary to personally repay losses caused by a breach of duty
- Return of assets that were improperly transferred, or their value
- Lost income, interest, or appreciation the assets would have earned
- A reduction or denial of the fiduciary’s compensation
- Attorney fees and costs, in certain circumstances
- Punitive damages, but only in rare cases. Minnesota requires clear and convincing evidence that the defendant deliberately disregarded the rights or safety of others.
Evidence That Strengthens a Case
- Estate inventories, annual accountings, and court filings
- Bank, brokerage, and business records for the person who died
- Appraisals and valuation reports, including competing appraisals
- Birth, marriage, and adoption records, plus genetic testing in heirship disputes
- Emails, texts, and letters between the personal representative and heirs
- Medical records showing the person’s mental condition when documents were signed
- Earlier wills, drafts, and the drafting attorney’s notes
- Any contract an heir signed to sell an inheritance interest
What to Do Next
- Request copies. Get the death certificate, any will or trust, and the probate court file.
- Preserve records. Keep financial statements, messages, and documents. Do not discard or alter anything.
- Put requests in writing. Ask the personal representative in writing for an inventory and an accounting.
- Get advice before signing. Do not sign releases, settlement offers, or agreements to sell your inheritance until a lawyer has reviewed them.
- Watch the deadlines. Probate deadlines can be short. Some challenges must be filed within months of notice, and others within a few years of death.
- Make your own plan. A will or trust can spare your family the kind of uncertainty Prince’s heirs faced.
If you or a loved one is dealing with a difficult estate, Rosenzweig Law Office can help you understand your options. That might mean a parent who died without a will, a personal representative who won’t communicate, or an offer to buy your share of an inheritance. We offer a confidential consultation to review your situation and explain your rights under Minnesota law. Learn more at https://barrylaw.com/.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Minnesota if someone dies without a will?
Minnesota’s intestacy laws decide who inherits. Generally, property passes to a surviving spouse and children first, then to parents, then to siblings and their descendants. The state receives the property only in the rare case where no qualifying relatives can be found.
Can half-siblings inherit in Minnesota if there’s no will?
Yes. Under Minnesota law, relatives of the half blood generally inherit the same share they would receive if they were related by the whole blood. That is why half-siblings may share equally with full siblings, as reportedly happened in Prince’s estate.
How long does probate take in Minnesota?
A simple, uncontested estate may close in several months to about a year. Creditors generally have four months after notice is published to file claims. Contested estates involving heirship, valuation, or fiduciary disputes can take years.
Can I sue an executor who is mismanaging my parent’s estate?
You may be able to petition the probate court to compel an accounting, remove the personal representative, or seek a surcharge for losses. The representative could be held personally liable if a breach of fiduciary duty is proven. An attorney can help you evaluate whether the alleged conduct rises to that level.
How long do I have to contest a will in Minnesota?
The deadline depends on how the will was probated and when you received notice. In some situations it can be much shorter than people expect. Because missing a deadline may permanently bar a claim, it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Should I sell my share of an inheritance before probate is finished?
Some heirs sell their interests to investors for faster money, as several of Prince’s siblings reportedly did. These deals may come at a significant discount and can be hard to undo. Have an attorney review any offer before you sign.
Does Minnesota have an estate tax?
Yes. Minnesota has its own estate tax, separate from the federal tax. It generally applies to estates valued above $3 million. Minnesota does not have a separate inheritance tax on heirs.
Original reporting: cronista.com.
