A judge has gone against James Brown's last will and testament and ordered half of his estate to be given to charity.

The star, who died agd 73 on Christmas Day in 2006, dictated in his will that his assets should be divided up between his six adult children.

The authenticity of the document, filed in January 2007, was called into question and the star's estate has been in limbo ever since.

But on Tuesday, a South Carolina judge approved a settlement that gives nearly half of Brown's wealth to his charitable trust, another quarter to his wife Tomi Rae Hynie Brown and their young son and the remainder to his adult offspring.

Judge Jack Early told the hearing, "I find that the settlement is just and reasonable and provides a just and reasonable result for the charitable beneficiaries.

"From the perspective of the charitable beneficiaries, the risks of not approving the settlement agreement are substantial.”

And Brown's widow is convinced the agreement is what he would have wanted.

She says, "I am so relieved and happy that the court has approved this settlement. I want to be able to work with the trustees and other Brown family members to promote James Brown's legacy. My son James and I are grateful to the judge and hope this nightmare is finally over."

“What James always wanted was the bulk of his money to go to kids. Not just black kids but all poor children to go to college.

"It's just the matter of giving this man the respect he was due and that is by honouring who he honoured and that's his wife and child. And I never doubted that one minute."

(by Daniel Melia)