#1 The Accidental Advocate

    Fifteen years ago, on February 24, 1999, entertainer James Brown made what may turn out to be the most important recording of his life.

    It was evening. Brown was with his longtime attorney Albert “Buddy” Dallas; his trusted financial adviser David Cannon; his cousin Willie Glenn; and his friend and assistant Linda Ware.                .

     Estate planning lawyer Dewain Herring had come from Columbia, S.C.

    After years of planning, Brown was getting ready to set up his “I Feel Good” Foundation – to give his $100 million music empire solely to educate needy students. He would sign it the next day.

    The family knew about it.  Daughter Deanna had helped gather names and information about the seven grandchildren for whom Brown was creating $285,000 education trusts. Brown’s wife Adrienne, before her death in 1996, had encouraged the creation of the “I Feel Good” Trust.

    Brown’s voice tape of his plans to set up the “I Feel Good” Trust the next day is pure James Brown: preachy; staccato; down home.    Brown speaks of having arrived despite obstacles; of being a 7th grade dropout; of giving back like the Kennedys.

    Brown reminds that there will be multiple copies made of the tape, so that it can be “checked for any hanky panky.”
          
    Brown – who always controlled the schedule – announces on the tape that he will not sign the next day.  Reminding all that he is a 7th grade dropout, he will take the documents home and study them.

    He did. 

    The “I Feel Good” Foundation was set up on June 15, 1999 with a will and revocable trust.  It  was tweaked, and the “I Feel Good” Trust  made irrevocable, the following year – August 1, 2000.

    Brown died on Christmas day 2006.  Several months later Bob Buchanan and I were appointed by the Court as limited Special Administrators of his estate. We remained involved in the Brown estate in various capacities until May of 2013.  Bob and I became two of the most loyal defenders of Brown’s estate plan.

    This blog deals with that experience. Most importantly, it will address how a five-year intervention and takeover by the State’s Attorney General has impacted the “I Feel Good” Trust.

    Post #2.  1999. James Brown; Ready to Create A Legacy.