Court order sharply narrows potential heirs to Prince’s estate

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota judge overseeing Prince’s estate narrowed down the wide pool of potential heirs for the late superstar’s fortune on Friday, ruling out nearly 30 claimants while ordering genetic testing for six purported family members.

Carver County Judge Kevin Eide’s order requires genetic testing for Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, plus three half-siblings: Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson and John Nelson. Ken Abdo, the attorney for the three half-siblings declined to comment. Tyka Nelson’s attorney did not return a message.

Eide also ordered testing for Brianna Nelson, who has claimed to be Prince’s niece, and possible grandniece Victoria Nelson. The pair has claimed Briana Nelson’s father was Prince’s halfbrother. Their attorney, Andrew Stoltman, declined to comment.

It’s unclear why the judge did not order testing for Omar Baker or Alfred Jackson, two men who were listed as half-brothers in the original petition for the court to name a special administrator to the estate. Jackson’s attorney, Justin Bruntjen, declined to comment. An attorney for Baker could not be reached.

Prince died April 21 of a drug overdose. The process of determining his heirs and parceling out his estate has fallen to the courts because he had no known children and left no will. A DNA test has already ruled out a Colorado prison inmate who claimed to be Prince’s son.

Barring any others who could come forward claiming ties, Eide’s order drastically limits who may benefit from Prince’s fortunes — an estimated $300 million or more — or gain control of his legacy.

Among those excluded from potential heirship in Eide’s order are five unidentified people with shaky claims that Prince was their biological father.

For example, one woman who said she was adopted claimed Prince was her father because “based upon the general description of the lifestyle of her biological parents, her fascination with the Decedent and physical similarities.”

The order also tossed out a handful of claimants who alleged that Prince’s father was someone other than John L. Nelson.