Prince’s heirs petition mismanaged money as legal fees escalate, leaving little to pass on

The legal battle over Prince’s estate continues almost two years after the death of the iconic musician. Now, three of his heirs have filed a petition to review the billing practices of the law firm that works for Comerica Bank and Trust, Fredrikson & Byron. They were appointed to handle the administration of Prince’s estate in 2017 and are said to be draining the late musician's bank account, leaving little to the beneficiaries.

Prince died on the 21st of April 2016 and they have been unable to locate a Will to date. Following his death, more than 45 people filed claims against the estate. Because no Will was found, Minnesota probate law determines Prince’s heirs. Back in 2017, a District Judge in Minnesota declared that Prince’s sister and five half-siblings were the legal heirs to the estate.

Before taxes, Prince’s estate has an estimated worth of $200 million (£153 million). The petition stated that Comerica and its legal counsel have received $5.9 million (£4.2 million), as well as $125,000 (£89,000) in monthly compensation. This brings forward the concern that “at the end of the estate’s administration, there will be little, if anything left to pass on to the heirs,” as stated in the petition.

The court document asks Judge Kevin Eide to end the staggering monthly payments and orders that any excess amounts paid to be returned to the estate.

This is not the first time that a petition has been filed against the law firm in regards to Prince’s estate. In December 2017, Judge Eide rejected a motion to remove the administrator, Comerica, over allegations of mismanaged money. As a result, the estate received a bill of $148,540 (£105,780) from Comerica fighting its removal.

The current petition questions the law firm’s billing practices as there are numerous entries for small amounts, that add up to a substantial sum, spread over a variety of different matters. Making it difficult for the family and beneficiaries to see that Comerica’s management is benefiting the estate at hand. The family’s wish is now for the estate administration process to come to a cost-effective and efficient end.

Prince’s case highlights the importance of creating a Will, as an intestate estate can lead to your assets being distributed in a way that does not reflect your wishes and may cause family disputes at an already difficult time. It is also important to ensure that your estate is left in safe hands when the time comes. By appointing an estate administration service like Kings Court Trust as a professional executor in your Will, they can handle the administration of your estate, eliminating any unnecessary stress for those you leave behind.

For more information on Kings Court Trust’s estate administration service, read our free and informative guide or call our Bereavement Support Team on 0300 303 9000.