PRINCE sometimes referred to Duane J. Nelson Sr. as his brother when both men were still alive, and Friday afternoon, a Minnesota state judge set out to determine whether such an unofficial family relationship might allow Duane Nelson’s heirs to inherit a portion of the late superstar’s estimated US$300 million estate, or whether the lack of a genetic connection would doom their claims.

    Though the hearing zeroed in on a rather arcane aspect of Minnesota probate law, it also offered a glimpse into the complicated relationships between the members of Prince’s extended family.

    Attorneys representing Duane Nelson’s heirs contended that state law did not necessarily require them to have a genetic relationship with Prince in order to claim a share of his estate. This position was met with resistance from Bremer Trust, the court-appointed special administrator for Prince’s estate, as well as those relatives that the court had already recognized as Prince’s heirs.

    Prince died of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl April 21. Because he apparently did not leave a will, and was survived by no parents, spouse or children, his estate will be divided between his siblings and half-siblings.

    The court has already determined that six people are Prince’s presumptive heirs: Prince’s full sister Tyka Nelson and five half-siblings: Noreen, Sharon and John Nelson, Alfred Jackson, and Omarr Baker.

    Duane Nelson Sr., who many believed to be Prince’s brother during his lifetime, died in 2011. Brianna Nelson is his daughter, and Victoria Nelson, a minor, is the daughter of his son, the late Duane Nelson Jr., who died in 2006.

    Brianna and Victoria Nelson filed claims shortly after Prince’s death. Another man who says he is Duane’s son, Corey Simmons, filed a claim separately last month.

    Celiza Braganca, the attorney representing Brianna and Victoria Nelson, argued that although Duane might not be the biological son of Prince’s father, John L. Nelson, the fact that John always treated Duane as a son created a family relationship.

    If the judge allows the claims to proceed, there will be an evidentiary hearing scheduled for November.

    (SD-Agencies)