Source: http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d
Timestamp: 2016-09-27 06:52:09
Document Index: 442861806

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1332', '§ 2201', '§ 1987', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 62', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33', '§ 33']

Hollander v The Estate of James Brown | In Re the Estate of James Brown and The James Brown 2000 Trust | Tamera Bennett - JDSupra
In Re the Estate of James Brown and The James Brown 2000 TrustHollander v The Estate of James Brown
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, died Christmas Day 2006 from congestive heart failure resulting from complications of pneumonia. Problems with Brown’s estate came to the surface when it was clear that his wife at the time of his death, Tomi Rae Hynie, and the child from that relationship, were not included in his will that was executed in 2000. Also in 2000, Brown created the “I Feel Good Irrevocable Trust” which included the bulk of his musical copyright assets and real estate assets. The beneficiary of the trust is a charitable organization.
More spin on the estate came to light on April 6, 2009 when a former publicist of James Brown, Jacque Hollander, sued for a stake of the “I Feel Good” trust. Hollander alleges the trust is illusory and the assets from the illusory trust were instead property of a partnership between her and Brown that was established in 1987 and never dissolved. Hollander v. Estate of James Brown (09 CV 2147).
To add to the exciting mix, Brown was separated from Hynie at the time of his death and there are legal questions as to the validity of their actual marriage. Under South Carolina law, Hynie and the child from that relationship are entitled to an inheritance so long as they were not specifically disinherited in the will.
The family members reached a Settlement Agreement in 2007, which the court rejected. On April 6, 2009, the judge wrapped up hearings on the matter and a ruling on the division of the estate is anticipated.
Download PDF IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN DIVISION JACQUELYNE HOLLANDER > Plaintiff >> v. >> CaseNo. THE ESTATE OF JAMES BROWN >> ADELE J. POPE, Individually and As > Trustee of the Irrevocable Trust established > By James Brown in August 1, 2000 >> ROBERT L. BUCHANAN, JR., Individually and > As Trustee of the Irrevocable Trust established > By James Brown in August 1, 2000 >> THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA > Defendants > COMPLAINT AND JURY DEMAND Plaintiff JACQUELYNE HOLLANDER (hereinafter referred to as “Hollander”) through her attorney, Donald P. Rosen, and hereby makes the following complaint against Defendants THE ESTATE OF JAMES BROWN, ADELE J. POPE, individually and as trustee of the irrevocable trust established by James Brown in August 1, 2000, and ROBERT L. BUCHANAN, JR., individually and as trustee of the irrevocable trust established by James Brown in August 1, 2000 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Defendants”) and for her complaint, respectfully states as follows: TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE THE PARTIES………………………………………………………………. 2 JURISDICTION……………………………………………………………... 3 FACTS APPLICABLE TO ALL COUNTS………………………………… 3 COUNT ONE Federal Declaratory Judgment Act …………………………………... 5 Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 1 oPf a9ge 1 of 9 DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS >>Case No. >> J. Brown JR., and Brown CAROLINA HOLLANDER (hereinafter referred hereby makes the following Defendants THE ESTATE OF JAMES BROWN, ADELE individually trustee of the irrevocable by Brown JR., individually and as trustee of the by Brown in states follows: PARTIES ………………………………………………………………. JURISDICTION ……………………………………………………………... ALL COUNTS ………………………………… Declaratory Judgment Act …………………………………... Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d FILED STAMP: APRIL 6, 2009 09CV2147 JUDGE GETTLEMAN MAG. JUDGE COX J. N.2 COUNT TWO Accounting………………………….…………………………………... 7 RELIEF REQUESTED – COUNT ONE ………………………………………. 8 RELIEF REQUESTED – COUNT TWO ……………………………………… 9 JURY DEMAND………………………………………………………….……. 9 EXHIBIT “A” – Affidavits EXHIBIT “B” – Last Will of James Brown EXHIBIT “C” – Irrevocable Trust Agreement of James Brown EXHIBIT “D” – Proposed Settlement Agreement THE PARTIES 1. Plaintiff Hollander is an individual who currently resides in Garden Prairie, Illinois. 2. Defendant Adele J. Pope is a resident and citizen of South Carolina. She is an attorney who was appointed as Trustee of the Irrevocable Trust of James Brown on November 20, 2007. She may be served at the Law Offices of Adele Pope, PC 1218 Taylor Street, P.O. Drawer 7125, Columbia, South Carolina 29202-7125. 3. Defendant Robert L. Buchanan, Jr. is a resident and citizen of South Carolina. He is an attorney who was appointed as Trustee of the Irrevocable Trust of James Brown on November 20, 2007. He may be served at 212 Newberry Street NW, P.O. Box 463, Aiken, South Carolina 29802-0463. 4. The State of South Carolina, represented by Assistant State Attorney Sonny Jones, is responsible for representing the potential beneficiaries of the “I Feel Good” trust. He may be served at Rembert Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly Street, Room #519, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 2 oPf a9ge 2 of 9 Accounting ………………………….…………………………………... -COUNT ONE ………………………………………. -COUNT TWO ……………………………………… DEMAND ………………………………………………………….……. -Affidavits B” -Last Will of James “C” -Irrevocable Trust Agreement of James “D” -Proposed Settlement Agreement Hollander is an who currently resides Garden citizen Trustee of Irrevocable at the Law of Irrevocable Brown 212 Newberry by Attorney is responsible for representing the potential beneficiaries of Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d3 JURISDICTION 5. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332 (Diversity of Citizenship). The amount in controversy is in excess of $75,000.00 in that the value of the enterprise between James Brown and Hollander is estimated at over $100,000,000.00. FACTS APPLICABLE TO ALL COUNTS 6. In 1987 Jacque Hollander (hereinafter referred to as “Hollander”) worked with James Brown (hereinafter referred to as “Brown”) the widely-known entertainer as a record producer, spokesperson and songwriter. At a meeting between the two of them, attended by Brown’s attorney Buddy Dallas (hereinafter referred to as “Dallas”) Brown and Hollander decided to jointly establish an enterprise in which they would each contribute time and money and use those resources to help needy children. They named that enterprise the “I Feel Good Children’s Trust” after James Brown’s hit song. See Exhibit “A” affidavits of Albert H. Dallas, Joseph F. White, Jr. and Roosevelt Johnson. No written agreement was made at that time to formalize that enterprise. 7. Both Brown and Hollander, over the following two years, contributed significant time and money to this endeavor. Under Hollander’s leadership, thousands of dollars were earned and contributed to needy children. Hollander wrote three songs and contributed those royalties. Hollander spent considerable time promoting the enterprise. 8. In 1989, following a sexual assault perpetrated by Brown on Hollander, she moved to Illinois. Brown continued the partnership and in 1999 – 2000 that partnership was formally memorialized into the “I Feel Good Trust”, part of the Irrevocable Trust Agreement of James Brown (hereinafter referred to as “Trust” or “the Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 3 oPf a9ge 3 of 9 Citizenship). The amount controversy excess Brown COUNTS Hollander (referred to as “Hollander”) “known entertainer as and songwriter. by Brown’s to as “Dallas”) establish each and money and use “after James hit song. See A” affidavits of Albert H. Dallas, Joseph F. White, Jr. and Roosevelt Johnson. agreement two years, and endeavor. leadership, wrote three songs a sexual assault by to Illinois. continued -formally Brown referred to as “Trust” Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d4 Trust”). See Exhibit “A” Affidavit of Albert H. Dallas. Exhibit “C” Irrevocable Trust Agreement of James Brown. The stated purpose of the trust, as with the original partnership, was for the benefit of poor and financially needy children (Trust Agreement, Article VII(1).) 9. After Hollander moved to Illinois, Brown continued to place assets into the partnership, including the publishing of their joint songs. On August 1, 2000 Brown executed his last will and testament (hereinafter referred to as “Will” or “the Will”.) A copy of the Will is attached hereto as Exhibit “B”. In the Will only Brown’s household and personal affects passed on to his children. The remainder of his estate was to pass through a “pour over” clause into the Trust. 10. Brown died on December 25, 2006. Between the time that Hollander moved to Illinois and the time that Brown died, despite the accumulated assets in the trust, which are estimated at over one hundred million dollars, Brown never contributed any material amount toward needy children and, in fact, borrowed freely from the trust assets for his own personal use. 11. After Brown’s death, the Will was filed in the Probate Court of Aiken County, South Carolina. Judge Doyett A. Early, Jr. has presided over the probate proceedings regarding the Trust and the Estate of James Brown. There is currently pending before that court a proposed settlement agreement that would eviscerate the trust and, in contradiction to the terms of the Will, allow only half of Brown’s assets to fund the Trust. Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 4 oPf a9ge 4 of 9 Exhibit “Irrevocable Brown. purpose of the trust, as with original for moved Brown continued to place assets including his last will testament (hereinafter referred to as “Will” or “the Will”.) as Exhibit “B”. household on to his estate and the time that Brown died, despite the accumulated assets over one hundred million in for death, was in the Early, Jr. has presided of Brown. There is currently of the Will, of Brown’s assets Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d5 12. The trustees appointed by Brown himself to the trust have been replaced by court-appointed trustees, the defendants Adele Pope (hereinafter referred to as “Pope”) and Robert L. Buchanan, Jr. (hereinafter referred to as “Buchanan”). 13. Hollander has made many attempts to be heard before the South Carolina Court and has been told that she could not appear without counsel. It has been impossible, due to the magnitude of the proceedings, for Hollander to obtain disinterested local counsel in South Carolina. Her attempts to discuss her personal interest in the trust with Pope and Buchanan were met with indifference and even hostility. COUNT ONE Federal DeclaratoryJudgment Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201 and 2202 14. Brown and Hollander entered into a partnership in 1987 that was never formally or informally dissolved by either party. They jointly contributed time and money toward an enterprise that would gift its proceeds to needy children. 15. The partnership that was formed by Brown and Hollander in 1987 and that was subsequently formalized in 2000 by Brown alone was a trust in name only and illusory in that the purported settlers of the trust, Hollander and Brown, exercised complete control over the trust assets, even after Brown formalized the trust in 2000. 16. In fact, only Hollander actually remained true to the initial purpose of the partnership, to help needy children. She gifted her partnership proceeds to various needy children for two years. 17. After Brown formalized the partnership in 2000 as a trust he contributed significant assets to the trust. Schedule “A” to the Irrevocable Trust Agreement specifically provides the following property to be delivered to the Trust: a. Initial funding of $50.00. Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 5 oPf a9ge 5 of 9 to the trust have been Adele (““has has for Her attempts discuss were met with hostility. Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1987 that was never informally dissolved either party. They jointly contributed time and proceeds formed formalized in 2000 by name and that the purported settlers of the trust, Hollander and Brown, exercised even after Brown Hollander actually remained purpose her partnership years. Brown formalized the partnership in 2000 as to trust. Schedule “A” property to be Initial funding of $50.00. Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d6 b. All ownership interest in James Brown Enterprises, Inc. c. All ownership interest in James Brown’s primary residence in Aiken County, South Carolina. 18. Schedule “B” to the Irrevocable Trust Agreement endows the trust with: All copyrights and all rights to income from any copyright or publishing rights to musical compositions of James Brown the entertainer, artist, composer and creator of musical works and video graphic and sound images including the likeness, image and persona of James Brown a/k/a The Godfather of Soul and any other stage or performance work now in existence or hereafter created by James Brown; the rights to any book, movie, narrative or illustration of the life and the works of James Brown in any form, including, but not limited to the attached more definitive list of intellectual work product of James Brown, which is ever continuing and which work product may or may not be registered with the Library of Congress, ASCAP or BMI. 19. Contemporaneously, Brown borrowed thirty million dollars on those same future earnings of royalties. On information and belief, that money was applied to Brown’s personal use and was never donated to needy children. PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HOLLANDER AND BROWN 20. Pursuant to the South Carolina Uniform Partnership Act S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-210, a partnership is “. . . an association of two or more persons to carry on as coowners a business for profit . . .“ In this case, both Brown and Hollander acted in association to contribute income producing and appreciable assets to this enterprise. 21. The South Carolina Uniform Partnership Act S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-220(4) further provides, in relevant part, The receipt by a person of a share of the profits of a business is prima facie evidence that he is a partner in the business 22. Although there was an agreement to give the proceeds of the partnership to needy children, this was never an obligation of the partners and was done voluntarily through Hollander as her share of partnership proceeds. Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 6 oPf a9ge 6 of 9 All ownership interest in James Enterprises, All ownership interest in James primary residence “with: copyrights rights to income from any copyright or publishing musical compositions James Brown the entertainer, artist, graphic and sound likeness, James The by Brown; the rights the life and the works of James any form, to the attached intellectual James with Congress, Brown dollars on those same and personal use BETWEEN HOLLANDER Carolina S.or more persons for profit producing and appreciable assets Partnership S.relevant part, The a there was done voluntarily as Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d7 23. Brown also received proceeds from this partnership and never contributed those proceeds to needy children. 24. All property brought into the partnership or subsequently acquired by the partnership by purchase or otherwise is partnership property S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-230. TRUST VOID AS ILLUSORY 25. Since Brown so controlled the trust that he was able to use its assets with impunity and did not provide for the beneficiaries after Hollander’s departure, the trust was treated as revocable even after it was formalized as irrevocable in 2000 and thereby was invalid pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 62-7-112. 26. Further, the formalization of the partnership into a trust would have required the approval of Hollander as a fifty percent partner in the initial enterprise from which the trust was derived. COUNT TWO Accounting, S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-550 27. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-550, “Any partner shall have the right to a formal account as to partnership affairs: (1) If he is wrongfully excluded from the partnership business or possession of its property by his copartners; (4) Whenever other circumstances render it just and reasonable.” 28. In this case, Brown sexually assaulted Hollander who then could not continue working directly with him in the partnership. 29. Since Brown continued the partnership through providing income producing and appreciable assets to the partnership, under the auspices of donating the proceeds to needy children, the partnership continued even without Hollander’s direct Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 7 oPf a9ge 7 of 9 property brought into the partnership or subsequently the trust that he was able use and the beneficiaries departure, revocable even after it formalized a fifty in initial S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-550, “to partnership affairs: (1) If is wrongfully of its property him in the partnership. of to needy children, the partnership continued even without Hollander’s Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d8 participation. S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-560. Hollander’s wrongful and illegal exclusion from the partnership entitles her to an accounting. 30. Hollander is also legally entitled to her interest in the partnership property and all proceeds of the partnership from 1989 through the present. S.C. Code Ann. § 33-41-710/720. RELIEF REQUESTED WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests judgment against all named Defendants as follows: ON COUNT ONE: 1. That this Court enter a declaratory judgment in favor of plaintiff that finds: a. That James Brown and Jacqueline Hollander were equal partners in an enterprise to earn money and gift that money to needy children. b. That the “I Feel Good” trust established by James Brown in 2000 was an extension of that partnership enterprise. c. That the “I Feel Good” trust established by James Brown in 2000 is invalid as illusory. d. That the property and proceeds in that trust are legally owned by Jacqueline Hollander as the surviving partner. e. Awards plaintiff reasonable costs of this action including attorney fees. f. That Plaintiff receives such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper, under the full range of relevant circumstances which have occasioned the instant action. Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 8 oPf a9ge 8 of 9 § 33-41-560. Hollander’s wrongful to her the requests against named Defendants as judgment in favor of gift Feel Good” trust established James 2000 was Feel Good” trust established Brown property in owned reasonable receives such as deems range relevant circumstances have occasioned Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d9 ON COUNT TWO 1. That this Court order an accounting of all assets and proceeds of the Irrevocable Trust of James Brown on behalf of the plaintiff. 2. That the Court order all present and future assets in the Irrevocable Trust of James Brown be awarded to Plaintiff. 3. That Plaintiff has such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper, under the full range of relevant circumstances which have occasioned the instant action. JURY DEMAND Plaintiffs respectfully request that their claims be tried before a jury. Dated: April 6, 2009 Respectfully Submitted, JACQUELINE HOLLANDER By: Her Counsel /s/Donald Rosen /s/Donald P. Rosen, Esq. ARDC #6278899 119 N. Kennedy Drive Carpentersville, Ill. 60110 (847) 322-3806 Casse 1::09--ccvv--02147 D o Dcuomcuemnte 1n t F1il e d 0F4il/e0d6 /0240/069 /2P0a0g9e 9 oPf a9ge 9 of 9 order an accounting of all assets and Brown on behalf of the plaintiff. all present and future assets Brown to Plaintiff. has such as deems range relevant circumstances have respectfully request 322-Document hosted at http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=71991729-ec51-42be-bb2c-5d9a79cf211d
Reference Info:Pleadings | State, 4th Circuit, South Carolina | United States Send