News

James Brown's Widow Fights for Half of Estate

Tomi Rae Hynie has filed a petition claiming that she is the rightful widow of James Brown, and asking that she be allowed to return to the South Carolina home where they lived together to collect "personal possessions." Hynie was locked out of the home shortly after Brown's death. Brown's attorneys have contested that Hynie was never legally married to Brown, as she was still married to another man when she walked down the aisle with the singer in 2001.

While Hynie is seeking half of the substantial estate, Brown's will omits Hynie entirely, as well as the couple's five-year-old son, and instead gives instructions to distribute his possessions among his six adult children. The children have filed their own petition, claiming that their father's estate trustees are inadequate and should be removed by the court. Hearings on both petitions are scheduled in the same courtroom on February 9th.

"There could be some fireworks at the hearings," said Robert Rosen, Hynie's lawyer, who hastened to add, "We're not fighting with the children. We are there to have a special administrator appointed and we're there to get [Hynie] in the house. I don't think we are in a collision course with the children."

Brown's trust, separate from his will, covers his biggest assets, including his music rights and his 60-acre home in South Carolina. Rosen claims that both the trust and the will are invalid "for a variety of reasons."

While the drama is sorted out, Brown continues to await a proper burial. His golden casket is currently in an unknown location, awaiting a decision on its final resting place.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
02.02.07