S.C. judge OKs settlement over James Brown estate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — After years of hearings in a protracted battle over how to parcel out James Brown’s wealth, a South Carolina judge approved a settlement Tuesday that gives nearly half of it to his charitable trust, about a quarter to his wife and young son, and the rest to Brown’s adult children.

The settlement was a contrast to the instructions spelled out in Brown’s will and trust after his death on Christmas Day 2006. .

The exact value of Brown’s assets has not been made public. However, during numerous court hearings since the Godfather of Soul’s death, there have been claims of unpaid debts, inadequate accounting and misappropriated money.

Some of the soul singer’s possessions were auctioned for $850,000, partly to pay debt. The future income — from movies, royalties and the sale of Brown’s likeness — is what’s really at stake, attorneys have said.

The settlement establishes that Tomi Rae Hynie Brown is the surviving spouse of the Godfather of Soul and her son is James Brown’s child. James Brown II will not be required to take a DNA test.