Prince Estate Returns To Court With New Lawsuits

Despite the apparent resolution of the six-year legal dispute over Prince’s estate in 2022, the issue has resurfaced in court this week. A prior agreement had been established, designating two holding companies to oversee the late artist’s properties jointly.

While Primary Wave, one of these entities, remains uninvolved in the latest legal proceedings, Prince Legacy LLC, the other company with family members on its board of directors, is now at the center of a new lawsuit filed in a Delaware court, as reported by Billboard.

L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer, both previously associated with Prince and appointed managers of Prince Legacy, initiated the lawsuit. The legal action accuses the musician’s relatives, including Prince’s half-sisters Sharon and Norrine Nelson, his niece Breanna Nelson, and his nephew Allen Nelson, of attempting to oust them from the business.

In the filed complaint, McMillan and Spicer assert:

“The Individual defendants lack any business and management experience, have no experience in the music and entertainment industries, and have no experience negotiating and managing high-level deals in the entertainment industry. They have a documented history of infighting. Based on the amount and complexity of the work that Prince Legacy is involved with, they are simply not capable of stepping in and managing its business.”

The legal dispute reignites questions about the future management and direction of the artist’s estate.

Dividing Prince’s $156 Million Estate Among Heirs

In response to Sharon and Norrine’s alleged attempt to seize control, the pair asserted:

“Their interference and intervention will make it impossible to carry on the business of Prince Legacy and will cause irreparable harm to the Company’s goodwill, existing relationships, and revenue streams.”

With Prince’s passing in 2016 and no will in place, a complex legal battle unfolded to assess the value of his properties and determine the rightful owners. The $156 million estate was divided among six Nelson family members, with three opting to sell their shares to Primary Wave, while the others collaborated within Prince Legacy.

Upon finalizing the initial legal settlement in 2022, Sharon Nelson expressed a commitment to bringing out Prince’s original music through Prince Legacy. An attorney for Primary Wave echoed this sentiment, stating:

“Our goal is to work collaboratively with them to continue to build and to grow Prince’s legacy as a 50% owner. We have the best interests of everyone in mind as we move forward.”

The intricate dynamics surrounding Prince’s estate continue to unfold amid legal complexities and familial disputes.