Judge Gives Approval for Late Prince’s Divorce Records to be made Public

Despite objections from Prince’s ex-wife Manuela Testolini, Hennepin County District Judge Thomas Fraser recently ruled that the details of the late rock star’s 2006 divorce case be unsealed. As reported by startribune.com, in a 17-page order Judge Fraser observed that in a democratic state everyone had the right to access civil court documents.

Divorce lawyers know this Prince situation is going to remain hot.

Star Tribune Requests Unsealing of Divorce Record

Impeccable divorce lawyers which can be obtained if you click right here @ Divorce.USAttorneys.com point out that although divorce files are generally public records, there are instances where judges approve that the divorce record be sealed as long as both parties agree and there is no objection from anyone else.

Recently, The Star Tribune filed a petition to unseal Prince’s divorce record citing that the documents may shed light on the potential heirs to his estate and its value, and if there were any reasons why he took painkillers. Incidentally, Prince died an accidental death on April 21^st due to an overdose of fentanyl, a painkiller.

Prince and Testolini married in 2001. This was the celebrity’s second marriage, which is said to have lasted five years. Prince did not have a will at the time of his death, which meant that the state would determine the division of his estate, which is estimated to be around $300 million, amongst his heirs.

Judge’s Observations

Divorce attorneys explain that in his ruling Judge Frazer observed that although the public did not have an absolute right to inspect civil court filings, Testolini failed to overcome the presumption of openness based on her fears that the records could expose her to harassment.

The Prince estate story is going to remain in the news. 

The judge noted that since Testolini claimed that the sealed divorce record did not have anything to do with Prince’s death and any subsequent legal issues she was not likely to be in the spotlight more than she already was for the mere fact of being married to a celebrity.

In his ruling, Frazer also stated that the investigation into Prince’s death was the main focus of public attention in addition to the probate proceedings in Carver County District Court. Judge Frazer also pointed out that under Minnesota law marriage was a civil court that involved two parties and the state, and therefore the public had the duty to oversee the relationship.

Leita Walker, an attorney for Star Tribune, argued that Prince’s privacy died with him, which was why the court files were more likely to be newsworthy. She also claimed that the First Amendment and common law gave them the right to request that Prince’s divorce records be unsealed. On the other hand, Testolini’s lawyer argued that his client was likely to suffer more harassment from the media, more than she already had experienced shortly after Prince’s death.

Did she become rich because of Prince? Many people believe the truth should be revealed. Divorce lawyers are at loggerheads over this situation.

Both Testolini and the special administrator that manages Prince’s estate, Bremer Trust, have 30 days to respond and file motions to seal specific information in the divorce filing, failing which the documents will be made public.

Meanwhile, if you need help with divorce matters be it alimony, custody, or property division, all you need is to reach out to a stellar divorce lawyer to make sure your rights are protected. 

If you have any questions, contact us via USAttorneys.com. We will call you back in no time at all.