AIKEN --- Lawyers involved in the battle over the estate of James Brown are hoping to have a proposed settlement agreement finalized and approved by the court by the end of the year.

Judge Jack Early of the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court agreed Thursday to take under advisement the issue about a confidentiality order concerning the estate tax returns.

"We've got to get a copy of the estate tax return, and we've had a hard time getting it from the (personal trustees) because they're all enmeshed in a suit in federal court," said Robert Rosen, the attorney for Tomi Rae Brown. He said they're hoping to have the settlement approved at a Dec. 11 hearing.

Last month, Judge Early received the summary of a proposed settlement agreement concerning the estate and the 2000 Irrevocable Trust. Adele Pope and Robert Buchanan Jr., the trustees of the estate, were given 30 days to review the final draft.

According to the agreement, Mr. Brown's children will have the right of first refusal to purchase the property within 120 days. If they decline, Mrs. Brown has the same option. Mrs. Brown and the children of James Brown also agree to work together to create a museum or other memorial burial place.