Judge approves aggressive timeline in Prince estate case

A Minnesota judge on Monday approved an aggressive timeline for testing claims of heirship to Prince's estate.

In a one-page order, Carver County District Judge Kevin Eide approved a protocol proposed by the trust company overseeing his affairs. It gives existing claimants until Friday to file sworn statements detailing their claims to have a genetic relationship with Prince that would make them heirs, since no will has surfaced.

New claimants will get a week from filing their initial notices to file the three-page questionnaires, which ask for details on parentage, along with supporting documents such as claimants' birth and parents' marriage certificates.

The special administrator would let claimants know within three days whether their claimed familial relationship is already established as a matter of law, or if DNA testing is necessary. Those rejected could file objections with the judge.

The claimants so far include Prince's sister, Tyka Nelson, several half-siblings, a Colorado prison inmate who says Prince was his father and others.

The next hearing is June 27.

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