A judge has given alleged heirs of Prince’s estate a deadline to submit details of their relationship with the late singer.
Prince, who would have turned 58 on Tuesday, passed away from an opioid overdose on April 21 and didn’t leave a will.
According to Minnesota law, his fortune, which was valued at less than $150 million (£103 million) by TMZ.com, will be split evenly between his heirs, who have been listed as his sister Tyka Nelson, and half-siblings Alfred Jackson, John R. Nelson, Norrine Nelson, Sharon Nelson, and Omarr Baker; however, more claimants have come forward in subsequent months. Almost 700 men and women from across the U.S. have called up Morse Genealogical Services to establish themselves as heirs, Harvey Morse told Britain’s Daily Mail in May.
On Monday, Judge Kevin Eide, who is overseeing ruling on the Kiss star’s estate, approved a timeline for those claiming to be beneficiaries, according to the Associated Press.
Existing claimants have until Friday to file sworn detailed statements about their genetic relationship with Prince. New alleged heirs will be given seven days after filing their claims to provide detailed questionnaires on family history and documents including birth certificates. The special administrator of the estate, Bremer Trust officials, will then return to the claimant within three days to indicate whether DNA testing is required as further proof.
The judge officially allowed Bremer Trust executives to test the singer’s blood for potential DNA matches in May. A sample of Prince’s blood was then transferred from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s office to DNA Diagnostics Center of Fairfield, Ohio for testing.
Notable claimants include Darcell Gresham Johnston, who claims to be Prince’s half sister, and Carlin Q. Williams, who believes he is Prince’s son.
In addition, a man claiming to be an adopted son of Prince, now claims that there is a will the promises him $7 million. Norman Yates Carthens has submitted a written statement but has yet to provide any backing documents.
According to Minnesota law, Prince’s sister and half-siblings would not receive any of the proceeds from the singer’s estate if either Williams’ or Carthens’ claims prove true. Without a will, there is an order of precedence for dividing the estate which starts with a current spouse, through the deceased children and parents and finally to brothers and sisters.
The next hearing is set to take place on June 27.
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