Brown heirs end feud over estate

The heirs of late singer James Brown have ended their feud over his estate, reports say.

The six adult children of the 'Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag' performer had been battling his widow, Tomi Rae Hynie, since his death in 2006 and have reached a settlement, E! reports.

A South Carolina judge ruled that half of his assets will be placed in a charitable trust, which will help further the education of his grandchildren and to provide assistance to impoverished youth in Georgia and South Carolina.

A quarter of his fortune will go to Hynie and her son by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown II, with the remainder of his estate to be divided among his older children.

Brown’s children and his widow had been at odds since the singer had not included Hynie and her young son in his will, and his offspring questioned the validity of the child’s parentage. A DNA test last May proved the boy was indeed their half-sibling.

"I am so relieved and happy that the court has approved this settlement," Hynie said in a statement. "I want to be able to work with the trustees and other Brown family members to promote James Brown's legacy. My son James and I are grateful to the judge and hope this nightmare is finally over."