hen Prince died in 2016 without a will or trust, his estate became a cautionary tale for anyone without an estate plan.
The Prince estate probate lessons show how even the wealthiest families can lose millions to probate delays, legal fees, and family disputes — all because there was no plan in place.
🎤 The Estate That Lasted Six Years
Prince’s $156 million estate spent six years in Minnesota probate court before being settled in 2022.
With no estate plan, his sister and half-siblings faced countless filings, tax disputes, and legal battles.
Read more about Minnesota’s probate process on the Minnesota Judicial Branch Probate Guide.Minnesota Judicial Branch Probate Guide
⚖️ How the Court Chose the Heirs
Because Prince left no will or trust, the court relied entirely on Minnesota’s intestacy laws — not on personal relationships or intent.
His estate was divided among six siblings (five half-siblings and one full sister). Even relatives with little personal connection received multi-million-dollar shares.
DNA tests ruled out false claimants, but the law doesn’t consider closeness or loyalty — only legal bloodline.
One half-sibling even passed away during the process, and his estate still inherited his share.
That’s the danger of dying intestate: the court follows the statute, not your story.
đź’¸ The Cost of Dying Without a Will
By 2018, the estate had already paid $5.9 million to the administrator (Comerica Bank & Trust) and its attorneys.
By 2022, experts estimated total costs at $10–20 million, possibly up to $60 million including taxes and valuations.
That’s money that could have gone to family or charity — instead, it went to the court system.
Learn how Michigan’s probate process compares in our Michigan Probate Avoidance Guide https://johntatone.com/estate-planning/
🧾 How a Simple Estate Plan Could Have Changed Everything
A revocable living trust and pour-over will could have:
Transferred assets privately and efficiently
Avoided public court filings and family conflict
Saved tens of millions in legal and tax costs
Ensured his music rights stayed in trusted hands
At John R. Tatone & Associates, most clients finish their complete estate plan — including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney — in 30 days or less.
Their families never have to set foot in probate court.
Discover how we simplify estate planning for Michigan families in our Estate Planning Process Overview.Michigan Probate Avoidance Guide
đź’ˇ Lessons for Michigan Families
Prince’s story isn’t unique — it just played out on a larger stage.
Any family can face years of delay and thousands in fees if they don’t plan ahead.
Here’s what every family can do:
✅ Create your plan now. Don’t leave loved ones guessing.
✅ Avoid probate. It’s slow, public, and expensive.
âś… Protect relationships. Without a plan, even siblings can end up on opposite sides of a courtroom.
For more Michigan-specific planning tips, see the State of Michigan Probate Court Resource Page State of Michigan Probate Court Resource Page
🎯 The Takeaway
The Prince estate probate lessons prove one thing:
Not planning is the most expensive plan of all.
Avoid the cost, time, and emotional strain.
Start your plan today — and give your family peace of mind.
👉 Book Your Free Consultation to protect your family’s future in just 30 days.