2016 has not been a kind year for superstar musicians with the unexpected death of David Bowie being followed up by the even more unexpected passing of Prince. The two share another similarity in that they both had massive estates worth north of $100 million. But where Bowie was known to have extensive estate planning, Prince’s situation is less clear. It is unknown if he had a will and his family situation was sufficiently confusing to ensure that intestacy will be an ordeal of tracking down potential descendants and other relations. With an estimated $300 million on the line this search for family will be intense although, as of now, the singer had only one known child that died while still an infant. However, Prince was known to be a keen businessman so it would seem likely estate preparations were made even if no will has yet to come to light. But one fact is almost certain at this point, no one will be inheriting anything until the courts, and more than a few lawyers, have had their say.
See Bruce Wright, Who Gets Prince’s Money? After Death, Singer Net Worth, Estate Now Up For Grabs, IB Times, April 21, 2016.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
