James Brown's family feel good after legal battle ends
Dispute over estate of late James Brown ends two years after his death
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Wednesday, 27, May 2009 04:45
A long-running legal dispute over the estate of the late James Brown has been ended by a US judge two years after the singer's death.
His widow Tomi Ray Hynie Brown and family have feuded over the distribution of the Sex Machine star's assets since he died on Christmas Day 2006.
Following a ruling by judge Jack Early, half of the soul legend's estate will go to a charitable trust, with a quarter divided between his wife and son and the remaining quarter going to his six adult children.
Brown's will had been signed ten months before the birth of his son James III and more than a year before his marriage to Tomi Ray Hynie, sparking a dispute between his six adult living children over the division of their late father's assets.
Judge Early said the court's ruling was "just and reasonable" after Brown's estate was split and Tomi Ray Hynie and James III established as his surviving spouse and child.
"I am so relieved and happy that the court has approved this settlement," Tomi Ray Hynie added after the settlement.
"I want to be able to work with the trustees and other Brown family members to promote James Brown's legacy.
"My son James and I are grateful to the judge and hope this nightmare is finally over."
Brown's daughter, Deanna Brown, commented: "It has been a struggle, but God has blessed us and we are thankful.
"We look forward to working towards the goals of our father by providing education scholarships for impoverished students and his own grandchildren, and making his home a museum for the world to come and see."