These Late Stars Have Ongoing Feuds Over Their Estates

James Brown’s Widow Was Ready To Cash In But Wasn’t On The Will

Photo by David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The battle for James Brown’s estate happened too soon after his death in 2006. Almost immediately, Brown’s family was trying to prevent his wife, Tomi Rae Hynie, from laying claim to the estate, said to be worth up to $100 million.

Brown had his will written up and finalized in 2000, stating that the bulk of the estate was intended for charity. He also originally stated that the remaining assets would be divided among his living descendants at the time. But in 2001, Brown married his on-again-off-again girlfriend of many years, Tomi Rae Hynie, the same year that she gave birth to their son, James Brown Jr.