NEW YORK – Even death hasn’t ended James Brown’s legendary woman problems.

The Godfather of Soul’s legal team Tuesday declared his fourth marriage illegal.

They have barred the mother of Brown’s 5-year-old son from his South Carolina estate.

Lawyer Buddy Dallas told The Associated Press that Tomi Rae Hynie, the singer’s partner of more than five years, had been no more than a “guest” of Brown’s at times.

“I suppose it would mean she was, from time to time, a guest in Mr. Brown’s home,” he said.

Hynie, 36, was still married to another man when she exchanged vows with Brown in 2001, making them invalid, Dallas said.

Although that marriage later ended in divorce, Hynie never repeated the nuptials with Brown, he said.

But Hynie said she had documentation to prove she and the soul sensation were legally wed.

“I just want this resolved,” she told The AP.

“He was a difficult man to live with, but he was a great man. I was the only one who could handle James.”

Hynie arrived at the Beech Island, N.Y., home shortly after Brown’s Christmas Day death to find the gates padlocked. Security guards had orders to keep her out.

“This is my home,” she told a reporter. “I don’t have any money. I don’t have anywhere to go.”

But Dallas said Brown had left the property in trust for his children.

He said of the lockout Tuesday, “It’s not intended and, I hope, not interpreted to be an act of unkindness or an act of a lack of sympathy.”It’s not a reflection on her as an individual.”

Dallas said Hynie had another home in Beech Island. He said she hadn’t seen Brown for several weeks.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who calls Brown the father he never had and who is in Georgia to organize funeral details, said yesterday he did not want to get involved in the dispute.

“I have enormous respect for all of the Brown family,” he said.

“But this is between attorneys and nothing to do with his kids or with me. For us, it is a time to mourn and to celebrate his life. “

The singer and Hynie’s tumultuous relationship included a 2004 arrest after Brown pushed her to the floor and threatened to kill her.

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(c) 2006, New York Daily News.

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AP-NY-12-26-06 2134EST