James Brown's children continue fighting for his money
Aiken, SC, February 8, 2008 The former trustees dismissed the allegation Thursday, saying
the only valid will was the one filed in 2000, which left clothes,
jewelry, boats and automobiles for Brown's six adult children.
The children were largely left out of the financial portion of
that will, which leaves the bulk of the soul singer's money to
charitable trusts.
Attorneys for the children argue that earlier wills drafted by
their father cast doubt on whether he truly wanted to leave his
estate to charity.
Ex-trustee Alford Bradley, who spent years handling Brown's
financial affairs, said the singer changed his will several times.
"When Mr. Brown would fall out with somebody, he would change
his will," Bradley said.
Brown died in Atlanta in December 2006, throwing into turmoil
his will and the future of his trust. The contents and total value
of both are still unclear.
Five of Brown's children say their late father's 2000 will
should be invalidated because his former advisers used undue
influence to get him to create charitable trusts that the advisers
would profit from.
Judge Jack Early, who has been overseeing the dispute over
Brown's contested fortune, asked the trustees why they never
mentioned a 1999 will to court-appointed representatives of Brown's
estate.
Bradley said he didn't think the earlier will was valid. Buddy
Dallas, a longtime friend and Brown adviser, said it never came up.
Also Thursday, a lawyer representing the Brown children accused
Dallas of trying to transfer assets to the trust after Brown died,
citing a document that listed some of Brown's possessions. Dallas
disputed that claim.
"When you have lost a dear friend, I guess you're not as sharp
as you'd like to be," he said.
At the end of the hearing, the judge dismissed reporters and the
public from the courtroom, saying he wanted to hear suggestions for
how to dispose of the estate. He also said administrative matters
needed to be taken up.
