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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesWhen Prince’s estate is finally settled, there will be two fewer people collecting a piece of it.
Carver County, MN, District Judge Kevin Eide on Wednesday excluded two would-be heirs from any further consideration, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Brianna and Victoria Nelson claimed they were entitled to a share because Prince referred to their father, Duane Nelson Sr., as his brother, because Prince’s father, John L. Nelson, treated Duane Nelson like a son.
However, Eide ruled that without evidence of a genetic connection between Nelson and Prince, whose birth name was Prince Rogers Nelson, there’s no law to support the sisters’ claim. Prince died April 21 of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl.
The ruling leaves six heirs with claim to the estate: Tyka Nelson, who’s Prince’s sister, and five half-siblings.
A seventh person may also have a claim. Corey Simmons, who’s Brianna Nelson’s half-brother, insists Prince’s father intended to adopt Duane Nelson, Simmons’ father. Confused yet? Judge Eide gave Simmons until November 25 to produce evidence supporting his claim.
Although Prince’s estate’s estimated to be worth up to $300 million, there may not be much left to split after the tax bill is paid, which is expected to take about half of the estate’s value.
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