Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Newly filed court documents state that Prince left no will before he died and that Bremer Trust has been appointed a special administrator for his estate. 


A Carver County judge has scheduled a Monday hearing, the first court appearance tied to issues involving the iconic Minnesota superstar's holdings. 

His life and music

. The precise value of his estate is unknown. 


Experts say Prince left behind a complex estate that will take some time to sort out. 


"There are multiple levels of rights involved and different bundles of rights," said Paul Bezilla, an entertainment lawyer in Minneapolis. "There are the copyrights in the recordings themselves, there are separate copyrights in all the songs themselves, there are separate rights in Prince's name and likeness image for merchandising purposes."


Media reports often peg Prince's worth at $250 million to $300 million without providing any source for the estimate.  


But it's impossible to get even an approximate dollar amount of Prince's fortune, Bezilla added, given the artist's secretive nature and lack of continuity in how he managed his business.


The Bremer Trust appointment sought by Prince's sister and half-siblings is for six months or until a more formal supervisor is appointed. The trust is also tasked with identifying Prince's heirs.

MPR News reporters Tim Nelson and Riham Feshir contributed to this report.

Order appointing special administrator in Prince Rogers Nelson estate

Arts and Culture

Crime, Law and Justice

Shows

MPR News with Tom Weber

Tom Weber Feature

NewsPartners

Minnesota News

Prince: His life and music

Brian Bakst

Author

Newly filed court documents state that Prince left no will before he died. Bremer Trust has been appointed special administrator for his estate and is tasked with identifying Prince's heirs.

The future of Prince's estate is in question after the Minnesota music legend died suddenly last week. Tom Weber spoke with lawyer Paul Bezilla and Billboard contributor Gil Kaufman about what happens when someone dies without a will. 4/27/16

Prince estate gets first court hearing Monday

Go Deeper.

Like this?