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Update: James Brown family expects judge to OK settlement

AIKEN, S.C. (AP) -- Attorneys involved in the legal battle over James Brown's estate say they'll ask a South Carolina judge to OK a settlement that spells out how to divvy up the singer's wealth.

Lawyers for the late soul singer's family gathered in an Aiken County courtroom Friday along with those opposed to the settlement. The plan would give 50 percent to Brown's charitable trust to educate needy students; 25 percent to Brown's surviving spouse and 25 percent to some of Brown's adult children.

Brown died in an Atlanta hospital Christmas Day 2006. For more than two years, claims of unpaid debts, inadequate accounting and misappropriated funds have thrown into turmoil the soul singer's estate.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Attorneys involved in the legal battle over James Brown's estate say a South Carolina judge could soon decide on a settlement that would end the fight over how to parcel out the singer's wealth.

A hearing in Aiken County Friday will center on a long-awaited settlement. It would give 50 percent to Brown's charitable trust to educate needy students; 25 percent to a woman claiming to be Brown's surviving spouse; and 25 percent to some of Brown's adult children.

Louis Levenson, an attorney for some of Brown's children, said the judge will likely give a decision on the settlement during the hearing.

Brown died in an Atlanta hospital Christmas Day 2006. For more than two years now, claims of unpaid debts, inadequate accounting and misappropriated funds have thrown into turmoil the soul singer's estate.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP 01-29-09 1436EST