Though the impulse to control his catalog inspired fellow artists, it limited Prince’s exposure and hurt the value of his music. “His intent is irrelevant because he never wrote it down,” said Laura Zwicker, who oversees estate planning at Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger and supplied the estimated value of Prince’s estate. Several prospective heirs have stepped forward, including Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, a half brother and four step-siblings, according to Billboard magazine. Prince reclaimed most of his music out of a desire for control — and to ensure he was the biggest beneficiary of his hard work. These new deals will add value to the estate in the short term and the long term, he said.

Source: National Post January 18, 2017 19:32 UTC