Remembering Prince

It pays to be Prince's lawyers ... they're raking in a ton of cash for handling the late singer's estate and legal issues.

The special administrator handling Prince's estate -- Bremer Trust -- filed docs asking the court to approve more than $2.3 million in bills racked up from July 1 through Sept. 30. As the estate describes it ... handling "the complexity of the problems involved" doesn't come cheap, and requires a bunch of high-priced lawyers.

The biggest expense so far is for the legal services of Stinson Leonard Street at $1,840,895.97. Remember, that's just for 3 months of work. In all, there are 6 firms listed as handling everything from claims by potential heirs to Paisley Park Museum plans. For the record, the lowest tab was for Broad and Cassel ... which only billed the estate for $915.73.

Some of the dough's also going to law firms in Italy and Florida handling copyright suits, plus a lawsuit in Cali to collect royalties.

Prince's estate is reportedly worth 200 million bucks.

Prince's siblings have called a truce in what has become an intense war over his estate ... and they're actually coming together Sunday night to pay homage to their late, famous bro.

Sources connected with Prince's estate tell us, the singer's sister, Tyka Nelson, has organized a trip to L.A. for the entire brood. Prince's "Purple Rain" snagged a posthumous nom for Top Soundtrack, and you know the drill ... there are few surprises, so we're guessing he'll win.

As for why "Purple Rain," released in 1984, is nominated this year ... the noms are based in part on sales, and after the singer's death the album hit #2 on the Billboard 200. Other nominees include "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "Suicide Squad: The Album."

FYI ... the AMAs last year were Prince's last TV appearance.

Jay Z better be ready for some purple pain -- Prince's estate wants nothing to do with his offer to snatch up any of the late singer's music catalog.

Sources involved in the deal tell TMZ the estate fired off a letter to Jay's team last month, saying it had no interest in signing a deal for "Roc Nation to exploit any of the intellectual property assets of the Estate."

We broke the story, Jay Z had offered around $40 million to take control of Prince's unreleased tracks.

More bad news -- the estate is calling out Tidal for making 15 Prince albums available for streaming a couple months after his death. Those releases were unauthorized according to the estate.

Translation: You're gonna owe us some dough.

The estate does acknowledge Prince made a deal with Jay for the 2015 release of his final album, "HitNRun Phase One" -- but also says it hasn't found proof of a $750k payment to close that deal.

Jay Z tried to snap up all the unreleased Prince music that was unearthed at Paisley Park after the singer's death ... TMZ has learned.

We've learned Jay met with Prince's sister, Tyka, and her husband, Maurice Phillips, several weeks ago. The mogul flew Tyka and Maurice to NYC to meet with him.

Sources close to Prince's family tell us ... Jay made an offer of around $40 million. We were unable to confirm the figure from Jay's camp.

But there was a rub. Tyka may be Prince's only full sibling, but she has to get sign-off from all the brothers and sisters, in addition to the trust that is managing the estate.

Vikings star Anthony Barr says Minnesota's M.V.P. may NOT be on the field ... it might be the big guy above ... ya know, Prince!!

Model Damaris Lewis -- who was a Prince backup dancer -- wants the opening of his museum to be pushed back out of respect for those who are still mourning ... like herself.

Damaris was one of Prince's muses in his final months and says she's not against the Paisley Park Museum altogether because she believes Prince's legacy needs to be honored. Her issue is timing.

She kinda got her wish. Paisley Park's gates were originally set to swing open to the public Tuesday, but the local city council put the kibosh on it out of fears Chanhassen, MN would be overrun with tourists. The council's now granted temporary approval for limited tours.

Prince's former bandmates threw the ultimate "Purple Rain" party for their fallen leader ... and brought along a bunch of his closest friends.

The Revolution got back together to perform a tribute show at First Avenue -- the Minneapolis nightclub where most of the music scenes for "Purple Rain" were shot.

Prince's leading lady from the flick, Apollonia Kotero, got onstage too along with Bilal. Apollonia even recreated the classic earring toss from the movie.

The video's pretty awesome, but there's no denying ... something's missing.

Prince's home is now the domain of the King -- as in Elvis Presley's people running tours at Paisley Park.

The bank that manages Prince's estate -- Bremer Trust -- just announced the deal that puts the people who run Graceland in charge of public tours, which are set to begin in October.

Prince's sister, Tyka Nelson, is reportedly on board with the Elvis plan, but sources close to the heirs tell TMZ not everyone in the family agrees.

We're told the dissenting family members objected, in part, because Graceland Holdings has previously had financial problems. As it stands, team Elvis would get 50% of revenue generated by Paisley Park tours.

We're told Bremer's currently negotiating with the family in hopes of getting everyone on board, but that's more for PR purposes. Fact is, the tours are going to happen ... but it seems the bank just wants to make sure Prince family members don't publicly bad mouth the deal.

Prince's deadly dose of the powerful painkiller Fentanyl was NOT prescribed by a doctor, which means it's a near impossibility anyone will ever be charged with his murder.

Law enforcement sources confirm investigators have not turned up a prescription for the Fentanyl. The Fentanyl pills found at Paisley Park were in a bottle labeled hydrocodone -- and it's now believed they were illegally obtained.

Our sources tell us whoever gave Prince the drug would face a 3rd degree murder charge under Minnesota law. However, without a prescription, we're told Prince's doctors would be in the clear ... so there'll be no Conrad Murray-esque trial.

Investigators would have to track down the source of the illicit Fentanyl -- it's reportedly an epidemic problem in Minnesota -- for anyone to stand trial for murder.

It's still possible a doctor could get nailed for over-prescribing other opioids. Remember, we broke the story ... Prince nearly OD'd on Percocet 6 days before his death at Paisley Park.

Prince's family had guests in tears this weekend honoring the late singer, but at least they got to leave with a bag full o' tchotchkes ... TMZ has learned.

Members of Prince's family gave gift bags to everyone who came to the private memorial Saturday at Paisley Park -- and they were loaded with Prince goodies. A witness tells us mourners got everything from pens to tote bags and more -- all specially marked "The Eternity of Prince." There was even a chain with Prince's famous symbol.

We're told the gathering was small -- with just a small handful of celebs there like Rosario Dawson and Maya Rudolph.

You'd like to think these items don't end up on eBay, but ya know they will. Soon.

Prince's half brother insists he has a right to live in the singer's home for the rest of his life ... which is why he's now squaring off against the guys who are angling to sell it.

Omarr Baker just went to court, asking a judge to hear his argument that he has a life estate in the Minnesota home Prince built for his mom. Omarr says he took care of Mattie Shaw for years, until she died in 2002, in exchange for the right to live there until his dying day.

As we reported, the bank that is handling Prince's affairs post-mortem has filed docs strongly suggesting it will put all of Prince's properties up for sale.

Prince's famous Paisley Park mansion could soon hit the open market, but there's a legal beef brewing that might squash the whole thing ... TMZ has learned.

The bank managing Prince's estate filed docs asking the court to let it sell a bunch of Prince's properties, and Paisley Park is the clear gem on the list.

It's not up for sale yet, but as the bank says in the docs ... "The properties that the special administrator is currently anticipating will be sold, and the appraised value of same are listed in spreadsheet attached as Exhibit A."

The appraised value for the more than 60,000 square feet of Paisley Park is listed at just over $7 million -- and the bank's already hired a real estate agent.

This could get messy. Sources close to the family tell us Prince's heirs will do everything they can to block the administrators from selling the legendary home and studio. We're told they'd rather turn it into a museum.

Prince's massive real estate holdings are about to hit the open market ... if his estate gets a judge's approval.

The special administrator of Prince's estate has filed a request to start unloading various real estate holdings. It won't be a fire sale though ... according to the docs, the estate says it will only accept offers that are at least 90% of fair market value.

It's unclear exactly which of his properties will be for sale -- the court has sealed that part of the request -- but Prince is known to have real estate in Minnesota, Beverly Hills, New York and possibly more. His Minnesota holdings alone have been estimated at nearly $30 mil.

The move is a sign Prince's heirs are looking to liquidate his assets rather than hold onto 'em for sentimental reasons.

The judge still needs to sign off on the deal.

The Prince criminal death investigation is in high gear, and authorities are scrutinizing two doctors ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Our sources say authorities are taking a hard look at Prince's primary physician Dr. Michael Schulenberg and renowned addiction specialist Dr. Howard Kornfeld, to determine if either of them crossed the legal line by writing prescriptions to Prince or otherwise facilitating the singer's acquisition of meds.

We're told three agencies are deep into the investigation -- the FBI, the DEA and the Carver County District Attorney's Office.

Prince died after OD'ing on Fentanyl, an extremely powerful narcotic. TMZ broke various stories that the singer was addicted to Percocet and almost died from the drug 6 days before his ultimate passing.

We also broke the story ... hours before Prince's death, he was photographed at a Walgreens near his home in Paisley Park pacing and looking anxious as someone went inside to get a prescription.

Dr. Schulenberg was at Prince's home when his body was discovered, but says he was only there to inform Prince of some test results. Dr. Kornfeld's son was also at the house with a backpack loaded with synthetic opiates to treat addiction. Kornfeld's lawyer says none of the opiates went into Prince's system.

As for the two doctors, Kornfeld is still actively practicing in Marin County, CA but Dr. Schulenberg has been MIA from his med clinic since Prince died in April.

Our sources say if state charges are filed, the case will not go to the grand jury ... the DA will make the decision. We're told it's unclear how long the investigation will take, but it could be several months.

Here's one to blow your mind -- Prince and Snoop Dogg together on the same song!

It actually happened back in the '90s when Mobb Deep was recording "Thou Shall Not Kill." Prince was never supposed to be on the track, but strange things happen in recording studios.

MD's Havoc went on the "Drink Champs" podcast with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN ... and that's when he dropped this shocker, which so reinforces how cool Prince was.

Check out the story -- the full interview drops Friday -- then listen to the song for Prince's contribution.

Warning: Graphic Language

BET did a lot of trash talking about Madonna's tribute to Prince ... and Jennifer Hudson had to back it up by performing that same song. No pressure.

You'll recall ... the BET Awards called out the Billboard Awards for its tribute to Prince -- featuring Madonna and Stevie Wonder singing "Purple Rain." As they put it on Twitter ... "Yeah, we saw that. Don't Worry. We got you."

Sunday night, J. Hud had to put up or shut up ... check out her performance.

Who sang it better?