Co-guardianship sought in court for Michael Jackson's kids

(CBS/AP) In the wake of a family dispute that spilled into the media, the living arrangements and guardianship of Michael Jackson's three children are expected to be determined by an upcoming court hearing.

Pictures: Michael Jackson's children

A lawyer representing Katherine Jackson, the pop superstar's 82-year-old mother, said he will file legal documents Thursday that would make the children's cousin TJ Jackson a co-guardian. The plan appears designed to remove pressure from Katherine Jackson who was named in her son's will as the children's sole guardian.

Perry Sanders Jr., Katherine Jackson's lawyer, has said the arrangement will allow his client to focus on the children's upbringing and not on financial or logistics issues.

Legal papers outlining the plan were expected to be filed Thursday in Los Angeles. Superior Court Judge Michael Beckloff is likely to order a hearing regarding the agreement.

TJ Jackson, 34, was appointed as temporary guardian in a court hearing after a bizarre episode in which Katherine Jackson was reported missing but later turned up at an Arizona spa.

Judge Beckloff said last week that he didn't believe Katherine Jackson had done anything wrong but suspended her guardianship duties because she had been out of contact with her grandchildren for 10 days. She returned from her trip hours after last week's hearing replaced her with TJ Jackson as guardian of Prince, 15, Paris, 14 and Blanket, 10.

On Wednesday, Jermaine Jackson issued a plea for peace in the family and withdrew his support of a letter calling for the outer of the executors of his brother's estate.

In a statement first released to The Associated Press, he said he regretted the public turmoil that resulted from his mother's recent trip and believes subsequent matters regarding his mother and the children should be handled privately.

Another party to the Jackson family drama, singer Diana Ross, who was named by Michael Jackson in his will as a potential guardian of the children if Katherine Jackson was not available, issued her own statement saying the recent turmoil involving Jackson's children and the appointment of a temporary guardian is a private matter and shouldn't be playing out publicly.