However, a letter made public this week in Carver County District Court from the special administrator overseeing the estate casts doubt on the claims of Max Stacey McCormack, of Invercargill.
"We must admit that we are somewhat skeptical of your claim, given our understanding that Prince Rogers Nelson (the 'Decedent') was completing high school in Minnesota in 1976, as opposed to living in New Zealand for several months," wrote David R. Crosby, a lawyer representing Bremer Trust, which was appointed by the court to marshal and protect Prince's assets through the probate process.
McCormack could not be reached for comment.
The letter references three affidavits submitted as part of the claim from Max Stacey McCormack, Caren Lee McCormack and Trevor Anthony McCormack. It does not state how the McCormacks are related.
A spokesman for Minnesota courts said the affidavits were not filed with the court and referred a reporter to Bremer Trust. A spokeswoman for the bank said it's working "under the direction of the court and we do not discuss claims or make statements about our activities."
Prince died in April of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl and left no will.
McCormack and his mother must submit to genetic testing at their own expense.
