Perhaps most of us remember James Brown as the Godfather of Soul who sang such hits as I Got You (I Feel Good), Papas Got a Brand New Bag, and I Got the Feelin.
He often moved about on stage in a rather flashy manner that others tried to imitate. Yet despite all of the fun Brown clearly pursued during his life, he also managed to become entangled in numerous relationships with women that produced seven or more children.
His Early Life and Background
According to one online biography, James Brown was born into extreme poverty in South Carolina back in 1933. After his parents split up when he was very young, James was sent to Augusta, Georgia, to live with his Aunt Honey, the madam of a brothel. Like many who tried to survive during the challenging years of the Great Depression, Brown worked hard to make a living. There were times when he picked cotton, washed cars and shined shoes. He even earned money by dancing for soldiers at Fort Gordon. At times, he was only paid pennies for his labor.
Yet his financial fortunes later changed, especially during the 1960s. According to various sources, he became tremendously important to the history of pop music. He placed 99 songs on the chart[s during a] . . . 30-year time span.
Browns Complex Personal Life Created Problems for His Estate
According to the 2012 edition of Trial & Heirs (by Andrew and Danielle Mayoras), Brown left behind at least four women he was married to at different times, along with six children through marriage and three other children who may or may not have been fathered by Brown. One of his last children, James Brown II, was born to his last wife, Tommie Rae Hynie.
Her marital history remains confusing, to say the least. Many questions have been raised since Browns death (at the age of 73 in 2006) regarding his marriage to Ms. Hynie. Some say she was still married to another man when she married Mr. Brown while she herself or others have claimed that her other marriage was annulled. Whatever actually happened, it may have played a role in Browns apparent decision to not provide for Tommie Rae Hynie and James Brown II in his estate plans.
Of course, as happens in many families, lawsuits were quickly filed upon Browns death. They questioned the validity of his Will and trust created in the year 2000 before Brown married Ms. Hynie. In it, he tried to leave half or more of his estimated $80 million estate (minus major debts) to various charities that would provide scholarships for needy children in South Carolina and Georgia. At one point, the government of South Carolina actually seized control of Browns estate. That happened at a time when it looked like all of the lawsuits and countermoves being taken by different parties might never end.
Conclusion Apparently Reached in January of 2015
The most recent ruling in all of the cases filed pertaining to James Browns estate is 46 pages long. Its key holding simply states that Tommie Rae Brown is the surviving spouse of James Brown. This was the ruling, despite James Browns announcement back in 2003 that he and Mrs. Brown were separating (as reported in Trial & Heirs, 2012). Its interesting to note that Mrs. Brown was actually locked out of the Brown house on or about the day James passed away.
According to the book Trial and Heirs (already referenced above) this decision was apparently governed by South Carolinas pretermitted heir statute. In a nutshell, that statute says that when a spouse or child comes along after a will or trust is created [in that state], the family members get a share in the estate and trust, unless the estate planning document(s) expressly disinherited them.
Hopefully, James Browns estate will not have to endure any further lawsuits now that a court has ruled that Tommie Raye is entitled to half of James Browns estate. Likewise, all of the children legally declared to be Mr. Browns heirs will have to split the other half of the estate.
While this case was apparently based upon the proper laws, its ashamed that at least some of Mr. Browns millions will never go to any charities that help educate disadvantaged children (as indicated in his Will drafted in 2000). Of course, things can still change if any of the apparently seven children who appear entitled to inherit decide to appeal this decision, seeking more money. However, Browns relatives are probably rejoicing that the pretermitted heir statute helped all of them inherit from the wealthy entertainer.
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