At first, when I heard Prince didn’t have a will, I was sad.
After all, the iconic singer, whose full name was Prince Rogers Nelson, was ferociously protective of his music and his image. He once wrote “slave” on his face to protest a music deal that left him without ownership of his work. During the dispute, you’ll recall, we had to refer to him as “the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.”
I came to respect the symbol that he used as his name for a while because he was fighting for his legacy.
Prince patrolled the Internet for unauthorized use of his music and some reports said he rejected offers to use his songs to sell products. He was all about control.
And now, following his death at 57, the control he fought for may be gone.
According to court documents filed by his sister, Prince left no instructions on how to handle his assets, including his published music and enough unpublished work that reportedly an album a year could be released for decades.
I’m having trouble connecting the dots of why Prince wouldn’t have had a will. To borrow from one of his most famous songs, “When Doves Cry,” how could he just leave his family and fans standing “alone in a world that’s so cold” — so commercialized?
Court- appointed representatives might not share his visions for his music.
Will “Let’s Go Crazy” ironically define the insipid commercialization of his music? “Kiss” used to sell chocolate? Or “U Got The Look” for a clothing company?
In a few weeks, my own mother’s estate will finally be closed. Her assets will be distributed perhaps not as she may have wanted, but that’s what happens when you don’t take the time or spend the money to have your own will created.
Whenever I discus estate planning, I ask the crowd to guess the percentage of people who die without a will. It’s a trick question.
The fact is, everyone has a will in a sense. It’s just not one you’ve prepared personally. In legal terms, if you die “intestate,” your state’s laws dictate how your assets will be distributed.
People give all kinds of reasons for not having a will. They can’t think of dying. They can’t agree on who should take care of their children. It costs too much.
But here’s the bottom line: If you don’t have a will, you are being selfish and irresponsible.
Why selfish?
All your reasons for neglecting a will are about you. But this isn’t just about you. You will die someday. If you have dependents, somebody has to take care of them. The money you think you’re saving by not getting a will — or at least shelling out for a do-it-yourself kit — could be spent hiring lawyers to sort out the mess you leave behind.
Why irresponsible?
Without your own will, you are being fiscally irresponsible. You worked hard to get whatever you have, so protect it from folks who will waste your money.
“When Doves Cry” can describe what often happens when there’s no will — siblings screaming at each other.Old wounds tend to surface when money comes into play. Accusations fly. Lawyers are hired. Before you know it, a court is sorting out your affairs.
In another of his hits, “Purple Rain,” Prince opens by saying, “I never meant to cause you any sorrow. I never meant to cause you any pain.”
Well, what do you expect will happen when you die not having taken care of your business?
Your love song to your family should be your own will.
Washington Post Writers Group
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