News

Columbia, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned a settlement divvying up the multimillion-dollar estate of James Brown, saying a former attorney general didn't follow the late soul singer's wishes in putting together the deal.

Attorney General Henry McMaster brokered a settlement in 2009 that split Brown's estate, giving nearly half to a charitable trust, a quarter to his widow, Tomi Rae Hynie, and leaving the rest to be split among his adult children.

But the justices ruled that the deal ignored Brown's wishes for most of his money to go to charity. The court also ruled the Godfather of Soul was of sound mind when he made his will before dying of heart failure on Christmas Day 2006 at age 73.

The court sent the estate back to a lower court to be reconsidered.

The justices did agree with the lower court's decision to remove Brown's original trustees. Members...

The heirs of late singer James Brown have ended their feud over his estate, reports say. The six adult children of the 'Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag' performer had been battling his widow, Tomi Rae Hynie, since his death in 2006 and have reached a settlement, E! reports. A South Carolina judge ruled that half of his assets will be placed in a charitable trust, which will help further the education of his grandchildren and to provide assistance to impoverished youth in Georgia and South Carolina. A quarter of his fortune will go to Hynie and her son by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown II, with the remainder of his (more)...

James Brown's survivors have ended their bitter feud over his estate. A South Carolina judge has signed off on a settlement reached by the Godfather of Soul's wife and children.

His wife Tomi Rae Hynie and his six adult children have fought over his riches since his death in 2006. His children were all named in his will, but Hynie and their son James Brown II were not. The will was signed before their marriage and before James II was born.

As per the terms of the settlement, half of the legend's assets will go to his charitable trust to pay for his grandchildren's education and help poor children in South Carolina and Georgia, a quarter will go to Hynie and James II, and the rest to his six children.

Judge Jack Early wrote in his decision, "From the perspective of the charitable beneficiaries, the risks of not approving the settlement agreement are substantial.

James Brown can rest a little more peacefully now. Papa's kids apparently got a bag they can live with, so a South Carolina judge has signed off on a settlement agreement reached by the Godfather of Soul's various heirs. Brown's six adult children had been battling the singer's widow, Tomi Rae Hynie, over the fruits of his estate practically since his death from heart failure on Christmas Day in 2006. Per the terms of the agreement, about half of Brown's assets will be placed in a charitable trust set up by Brown to pay for his grandchildren's education and to help needy children in South Carolina and Georgia; a quarter will go to Hynie and her young son with Brown, James Brown II....