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.
Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
CROOKS ALL (The lawyers)
If Mrs Brown has indeed been ruled Mr Browns legal wife, then SHE should have the right of first refusal, with the rest of the family being offered SECOND right of refusal. I would only expect the same for my wife if I kick the bucket. After all, my wife has 51 years invested in me and our combined assets. My kids all have the rest of their lives to acquire their own wealth.
Judge Early, if you had anthing to do with this ruling.......YOU SUCK......
hi reader i,m should you will agree with me and the legal aspect of this situatition,if tomi ray is his wife then she should have the right to handle the estate and will that was put forth by Mr. Brown just my opinion NAOSDO
Did anyone ever come up with a dollar ammount of Mr. Brown's worth at the time of his passing? Also did they estimate how much money those so called trustee's embezelled from his estate?
politicallyncorrect the answer to both of your questions. We will never know.
Millions. To bad a trust for inner city youth can"t be set up or combined with the new Jesse Norman school for the arts.
James Brown had selected the people he TRUSTED to "Take care of things" after he died. The judge tossed them out and messed up James Brown's plans and brought in new lawyers to pay. They should have formed a corporation to get the museum started, giving shares to the heirs, as determined by DNA. NO REGARD for Mr. Brown's (and his fans) wishes...
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