Prince Died Without a Will — What Happened Next Was a Royal Mess

Prince 1981. Photo by Allen Beaulieu. Public domain.

Prince once turned himself into a symbol to avoid a record contract — a bold move if there ever was one. But when the Purple One died in 2016, there was one document even more powerful than a platinum album that he never got around to creating: a will. That missing piece of paper left behind a $156 million estate and a tangle of court battles that played out like a behind-the-scenes family drama — only with more lawyers, fewer hugs, and a whole lot of money on the line. And here's the kicker: the chaos that followed could've been avoided with one conversation and a few signatures.

He Didn't Leave a Will?!

It's true. When Prince died suddenly on April 21, 2016, fans were devastated — but what shocked legal experts was the discovery that he had no will on file.

That meant everything he owned — including unreleased music, intellectual property, real estate, and personal assets — had to be divided by the court through a process called intestacy, which happens when someone dies without a valid will, according to Forbes. In this case, Prince's six half-siblings were named as legal heirs.

But agreeing on how to split $156 million? That's where the trouble began.

Family Feud, Legal Edition

At first, there were disagreements about how to divvy things up. Then three of the six heirs sold their shares to a music publishing company called Primary Wave in 2021, giving the company half-ownership of Prince's estate — including his legendary song catalog.

Court appearances piled up. Legal fees grew. And the battle dragged on for six years.

At one point, Comerica Bank & Trust, the estate's administrator, valued the estate at $82.3 million. The IRS? They estimated $163.2 million. Eventually, both sides agreed to a valuation of $156 million in 2022 — and a Minnesota judge approved the settlement.

Problem solved, right? Not quite.

The Drama Continued in 2024

Just when things seemed settled, a new lawsuit landed in January 2024. Two estate managers — L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer — alleged that four of Prince's family members attempted to change the company bylaws and oust them from Prince Legacy LLC, the group that oversees half of Prince's estate, according to Forbes.

The lawsuit accused the family members of allegedly violating their agreement and jeopardizing Prince's legacy. It also claimed that some attempted to sell their shares, which would have upset the 50-50 balance between the heirs and Primary Wave.

All Because One Document Was Missing

At the heart of this saga is one painfully avoidable fact: Prince never made a will.

Estate experts say having a will protects not just your property, but your people. Without it, even the best-intentioned families can end up in bitter, expensive, and highly public court battles — especially when millions of dollars are involved.

It's not about being rich or famous. It's about being prepared.

The Real Takeaway: Wills Aren't Glamorous — But They Matter

Most of us aren't sitting on a mountain of unreleased music, but we do have homes, retirement accounts, jewelry, sentimental heirlooms — and people we love. Creating a will ensures that what we've built, collected, or dreamed about lands where we want it to. Not in a courtroom.

Without a will, the courts decide everything — from who gets the house to who manages the assets. That process is long, public, and often emotionally draining.

And let's be honest: no one wants their kids fighting over who gets the record collection or the lake house. Not when it could have all been sorted with a clear, simple plan.

Don't Be a Prince (Well, at Least in This Way)

Prince was a visionary. He was bold, brilliant, and decades ahead of his time in business, branding, and music. But when it came to estate planning, he left his legacy vulnerable.

You don't have to.

If you've been putting off writing your will, take a page out of Prince's posthumous playbook — and do the opposite. Sit down. Write it out. Sign it. Have witnesses. Tell someone where it is.

Because the best way to honor the people you love — and protect the life you've built — is to leave behind a plan, not a mess.

References: The Battle For Prince's Estate: Unending Conflict, Legal Drama And Lessons For Family Business | What Prince's death can teach us about wills and estates