News 12 at 6 o'clock; April 6, 2009

AIKEN CTY, S.C. -- News 12 has learned the James Brown estate hearing is now finished. It's up to the judge to decide at this point if the settlement will be approved or not.

News 12 is told it should be about 2-3 weeks before Judge Jack Early enters in a "lengthy" order explaining his decision on the settlement. Under the current settlement, 50% of the estate will go to education of the poor and needy children in Georgia and South Carolina, 25% to Tommie Rae and James Brown II and 25% split among Browns' 6 children named in the will.

Last month, we learned the James Brown Estate may be worth between $32-110 million dollars. Today, the current trustees Adele Pope and Robert Buchanan told the court the estate is almost bankrupt and the James Brown Beech Island Estate must be sold.

Pope and Buchanan are expected to appeal the settlement if approved. But, there is a question as to whether or not they will be replaced. Russell Balknight, an attorney from Columbia, took the stand today and told the court he is willing to take over as trustee of the estate.