“It rained but it wasn’t purple….. for sure”
The music artist Prince and the blended family feud that ensued became a high‑profile media probate nightmare and shows exactly why Floridians with step‑siblings and half‑siblings need a clear, written estate plan anchored by a will (and often a revocable living trust), with the help of an elder law attorney experienced in drafting estate plans using a Will and Trusts —not just a basic will‑drafting attorney. Because Prince died young, without a will, Minnesota intestacy law dictated who inherited his estate, and the long, expensive fight among his sister and half‑siblings is a cautionary tale for Florida families with complex sibling relationships and valuable assets like real estate.
Prince, Paisley Park, and His Siblings
Prince died unexpectedly in 2016 at age 57, leaving an estate ultimately valued at roughly $150–156 million and no known will or trust. He was survived by one full sister, Tyka Nelson, and several half‑siblings; dozens of additional people came forward claiming to be heirs, including alleged children and other relatives.
Over several years, the Minnesota probate court ordered genetic testing and extensive proceedings before finally declaring six legal heirs: Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson and five half‑siblings, who then became co‑owners of iconic assets such as the Paisley Park complex. Some of those heirs later sold significant stakes—reportedly around half of the estate—to a music company, leaving Prince’s legacy and control of his catalog and real estate split between corporate and family interests.
How Florida Treats Half‑Siblings and Step‑Siblings
If a Florida resident dies without a will, the probate court must apply Florida’s intestacy statutes in Chapter 732, which contain special rules for half‑siblings and effectively ignore step‑siblings who are not legally adopted. Key Florida rules include:
When there is no surviving spouse or descendants, the estate passes up to parents and then down to “collateral heirs,” including brothers and sisters.
Under section 732.105, relatives of the half‑blood (half‑siblings) inherit only half as much as relatives of the whole blood when they are inheriting alongside each other as collateral heirs. (Meaning related by “blood”).
Step‑siblings have no automatic intestate rights in Florida unless they were legally adopted; they are treated as legal strangers for inheritance purposes.[50][52]
Without a will, this default framework decides who receives a Florida home, investment accounts, or business interests, regardless of whether the decedent was closer to a particular half‑sibling, step‑sibling, or unrelated caregiver. Many testators ultimately reject Florida’s half‑blood rules and step‑sibling exclusions once those rules are explained, preferring instead to make their own tailored plan in a will or revocable trust.
Lessons from Prince for Florida Families
Prince died without a will or revocable living trust, so Minnesota’s intestacy laws—not his personal preferences—controlled who inherited his assets, including Paisley Park. Minnesota law treats half‑siblings the same as full siblings, so his sister and half‑siblings shared equally, even though nobody knows whether that is what Prince actually wanted.[42][55][47][56][57]
For years, the estate was tied up in:
Heirship fights, with more than 45 people reportedly asserting claims as spouses, children, or other relatives.
Disputes over valuation and management of the estate, including tax issues and the future of Paisley Park as both a museum and income‑producing business.
Ongoing costs—legal fees, accounting, administration—that dramatically reduced what ultimately flowed to the heirs.
A seasoned elder law attorney could have helped Prince, even in his 40s and 50s, by building a comprehensive plan that anticipated complicated family dynamics, potential incapacity, and the unique issues surrounding a celebrity’s intellectual property and real estate. That plan would almost certainly have included a coordinated will and revocable living trust, beneficiary designations, and business‑succession and tax planning, instead of leaving everything to be sorted out in a contested, public probate.[56][44][43]
Why a Will (and Trust) Matter When You Have Half‑Siblings or Step‑Siblings
For Florida seniors—and frankly, for adults of any age with assets and a blended family—a will and revocable living trust allow them to override intestacy rules and decide exactly who gets what. When there are half‑siblings and step‑siblings, a plan drafted with a Florida elder law attorney can: Ensure that favored half‑siblings or step‑siblings are protected even though Florida intestacy would either cut their shares in half or exclude them entirely.
Use a revocable living trust to own key assets (like a homestead, rental properties, or a closely held business) so that management, succession, and buy‑out terms are clear and not left to a probate judge.
Coordinate long‑term care, Medicaid, and special‑needs issues that frequently arise in later life and can dramatically change what is available to pass at death.
Prince’s experience shows that being “too young” is not a defense: he was only 57, but his lack of planning produced a big legal mess that took about six years to sort out and required court supervision over nearly every major decision.
In Florida, adults with significant assets, step‑children, step‑siblings, or half‑siblings should treat that case as a warning and create a written plan early—before illness, accidents, or family conflict turn their own legacy into the next headline probate battle.
