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Family of James Brown settles 15-year battle over his estate

Legal wrangling over the Godfather of Soul’s estate has been ongoing since his death at the age of 73 on Christmas Day 2006.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The family of entertainer James Brown has reached a settlement ending a 15-year battle over the late singer’s estate. 

David Black, an attorney representing Brown’s estate, confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday that the agreement was reached July 9. Details of the settlement were not disclosed. 

Legal wrangling over the Godfather of Soul’s estate has been ongoing since his death at the age of 73 on Christmas Day 2006.  

RELATED: Denying marriage claim, justices OK James Brown's dying wish

More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed over the years by people trying to lay claim to what’s left, which courts have estimated to be worth anything from $5 million to more than $100 million.

The law firm Nexsen Pruet and Black released a statement on Saturday commending the personal representative of the James Brown Estate, Russell Bauknight, for his "tireless efforts" in allowing Brown's estate to proceed and "begin providing scholarships for needy children -- just as Mr. Brown intended."

The statement also went on to mention Brown's longtime ties to the South Carolina area, from his birth in Barnwell to his early life in nearby Augusta and his final years in Beech Island.

However, the statement provided no additional information on the aforementioned scholarships or how and when they would be made available.

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