With an estate worth upwards of US$500 million (NZ$693m), but with no will apparently in place, an endless stream of individuals, claiming a relationship to the dead singer, have emerged.
The Australian Associated Press has reported that a Minnesota judge dismissed claims to the pop star’s estate, from 29 would-be heirs.
The decision has strengthened the inheritance claims of the performer’s surviving siblings but the judge has stated that all six claiming to be Prince’s siblings, half-siblings or other relatives would have to undergo genetic testing.
Claims dismissed by Judge Kevin Eide in his 19-page ruling ranged from the unlikely to the absurd, with one claimant Claire Boyd declaring she had been married to Prince but that her marriage records were kept in secret by the US Central Intelligence Agency.
Judge Eide also denied four people claiming to be the singer’s children, as well as others claiming to be Prince’s father or other relatives.
Prince Rogers Nelson has been identified in public records as the only son from Mattie Shaw’s marriage to John L Nelson, who also fathered Prince’s younger sister, Tyka Nelson.
Both parents to the star are dead.
John Nelson, Norrine Nelson and Sharon Nelson are among five people who have been identified as surviving half-siblings of Prince.
While the judge said there were no known disputes with the relationship of the half siblings to the singer, he ordered the three, as well as Tyka, to undergo genetic testing.
The order did not address two remaining half-siblings.
Two other women also claiming to be a niece and a grand-niece have made a strong enough case to be potential heirs, but the judge ruled they would also have to undergo testing as well.
