Producer moves to protect money for charitable trust

AIKEN --- A one-time songwriter and record producer for James Brown has decided to jump into the legal maneuvering surrounding the late singer's estate.

Illinois resident Jacque Hollander filed an affidavit in Aiken County this month, objecting to any settlement that affects the I Feel Good charitable trust, which Ms. Hollander claims she began in 1986.

"The intent of the trust is to provide underprivileged children and children with serious medical issues in Georgia, and later South Carolina, with funding for educational opportunities and medical expenses," she said in the affidavit.

She states that in 1988 Mr. Brown "expressly stated he intended to leave, with little to no exception, his estate" to the trust.

According to the court documents, Ms. Hollander said she has documents and recordings of Mr. Brown from 1987 that acknowledge the existence of the trust.

A year after his death in 2006, five of Mr. Brown's children filed a petition contesting his will.

They alleged that their father's longtime advisers used coercion when the will and trusts were drafted so they would profit from managing the I Feel Good Trust and the Brown Family Education Trust after Mr. Brown died.

In September, Judge Jack Early of the 2nd Judicial Circuit received the summary of a proposed settlement concerning the estate and the 2000 Irrevocable Trust.

According to the agreement, the parties agree that Tomi Rae Brown was the singer's legal wife at the time of his death.

It also states that all children and grandchildren mentioned in the agreement are Mr. Brown's lawful heirs and will not have to undergo DNA testing if it is approved.

The settlement stipulates that any assets and proceeds received through the estate will be divided -- 50 percent to the charitable trust; 25 percent to Ms. Brown, which includes any share to James Brown II; and 25 percent to Larry Brown, Daryl Brown, Venisha Brown, Deanna Brown Thomas and Yamma N. Brown.

Attorneys involved in the case hope Judge Early will approve the agreement at the next hearing Jan. 30.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com