LOS ANGELES -- Singer Marvin Gaye, shot to death in his parents' home earlier this month, apparently died broke without any assets, a family lawyer revealed in court Thursday.
'We may have an insolvent estate,' attorney Gerald Mehlman told Superior Court Commissioner Robert Blaylock.
Gaye left no will.
Blaylock granted special letters of administration jointly to Gaye's 18-year-old son, Marvin Gaye III, and to an attorney, Joseph Karol. The power allows them to marshal assets and pay bills.
'We just do not know the size and character of the estate or the extent of creditors' claims,' Mehlman told the commissioner in requesting a minimal bond.
Blaylock set the bond at $4,000. Such a bond is posted in probate cases to cover any loss of assets caused by administrators' work with the estate.
Gaye's profits on such popular songs as 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' and 'Sexual Healing' may have been dissipated by alimony payments to former wives and reported problems with taxes and drugs.
In addition to his 18-year-old son, Gaye's legal heirs include a younger son, Frankie, a daughter, Nona, his mother, Alberta, and his father, Marvin Gay Sr. who has been charged with killing his son. The singer added the 'e' to his name when he began his career.
The 71-year-old retired minister was accused of killing the singer April 1 following an argument in the family home.
