Ray Charles’ Foundation Files Lawsuit Against His Children
Author: James A. Miller, Estate Planning Attorney / Category: Estate Planning / Posted: 17 May 2012Music legend Ray Charles established a foundation prior to his death in 2004. The foundation supports youth education programs as well as research and education for the hearing impaired. The foundation recently filed a lawsuit against the children of Ray Charles alleging that the children are in violation of agreements they made with their late father prior to his death.
According to reports, each of Charles’ 12 children signed agreements with their father two years prior to his death agreeing to relinquish and waive any future claims to Charles’ estate in exchange for individual trusts set up by Charles and funded with $500,000 a piece. The current controversy appears to stem from allegations that, despite the agreements, Charles’ children have sent copyright termination notices to various music publishers claiming to be the owners of 51 of Ray Charles‘ most famous songs, including “I Got a Woman” and “What’d I Say.” The foundation claims that it is the rightful owner of the songs and the children have no legal standing to send the notices.
The foundation depends on royalties from Charles’ songs in order to fund the foundation’s activities. By sending the termination notices, the foundation contends that the children have created a “cloud” over ownership of the songs and, therefore, diminished the value of the songs.
A court will eventually decide the issue; however, as with many newsworthy estate battles, this one reminds all of us of the importance of creating a thorough estate plan that will withstand a legal battle should one come to pass.
The Law Offices of James A. Miller is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.



