Jackson's Parents Seek Control Of Estate

Pop Icon's Mother Wins Temporary Guardianship Of 3 Children

(CBS/AP)  Michael Jackson's mother asked a Superior Court judge on Monday to name her administrator of her late son's estate so she can ensure the King of Pop's three children are its beneficiaries.

The court filing states that Jackson's parents believe he died without a valid will.

Supporting Katherine Jackson in her petition bid to administer the estate was Jackson's father, Joe Jackson.

The court documents state that Katherine Jackson "intends to marshal assets of the decedent for the exclusive use of the decedent's three children - her grandchildren - after payment of debts and expenses of administration."

The free-spending singer is believed to have $400 million in debt, but his assets - mainly his two song catalogs - are estimated to be worth up to $1 billion, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.

But Michael Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe is the biological mother of two of the children: Prince Michael, age 12, and Paris Katherine, age 11. It's not clear whether Rowe wants custody.

"The court has to give preference to the parent, the biological parent; however if that is not in the best interest of the child, the court does not have to follow that," said Charlotte Goldberg of Loyola Law School.

Jackson's youngest son prince Michael II, also known as Blanket, is seven years old. Court records today list his mother as "none."

Jackson friend Al Malnik says the singer wanted him to care for Blanket and the children's longtime nanny says she considers Michael's kids her babies.

His biographer says during his life the megastar purposely kept his family out of the loop.

"So now that Michael is gone, the family finds itself at a great disadvantage because they don't know much about his finances or his personal life," said the biographer, J. Randy Taraborelli.

Earlier, Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff granted Katherine Jackson's request to assume temporary guardianship of her son's children but did not immediately rule on her request to administer their estate.

Beckloff scheduled hearings for July 6 and Aug. 3 to take up the matters, including whether to also approve a request by Jackson to become permanent guardian of her son's children.

So far, a will for Michael Jackson, which might spell out his wishes for care of his children and his estate, has not surfaced. However, TMZ.com reported that Jackson's lawyer has a copy of the singer's will and he intends to file it with the court.

Jackson never told his family who he had in place to handle his business affairs, a person close to the family has told The Associated Press. The person, who requested anonymity because of the delicate nature of the situation, said they were told by the singer's phalanx of advisers that he likely had a will, but it may be many years old.

Jackson's funeral is still in the planning stages, but his father said he would not be buried at Neverland Ranch, the sprawling playground the entertainer built in the rolling hills of Santa Barbara County.

At a news conference outside the family compound, Joe Jackson said the family was carefully considering how best to celebrate the pop star's legacy. He also said the family was waiting until they had a definitive word on the cause of his son's death.

When Jackson died Thursday, he left behind three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7. The youngest son was born to a surrogate mother.

The filing lists the children as living at the Jacksons' family compound in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.

In her request to take over the children's estate, Jackson's mother listed its value as "unknown."

"Minor children are currently residing with paternal grandmother," the filing states in an explanation of why Katherine Jackson should be appointed guardian. "They have a long established relationship with paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care."

The declaration states that Rowe is the mother of Jackson's two eldest children but lists her whereabouts as "unknown." A family attorney said the Jacksons haven't heard from Rowe since Michael Jackson's death.

An e-mail message sent to Rowe's attorney seeking comment wasn't immediately returned Monday.

The attorney, Marta Almli, wrote in a statement Saturday that "Ms. Rowe's only thoughts at this time have been regarding the devastating loss Michael's family has suffered. Ms. Rowe requests that Michael's family, and particularly the children, be spared such harmful, sensationalist speculation and that they be able to say goodbye to their loved one in peace."

The court filings show that family attorney L. Londell McMillan has joined a team of lawyers to coordinate the family's attempts to take control of Jackson's affairs.

"I don't think there will be anybody who thinks that there is someone better" than Katherine Jackson to have custody, McMillan said Monday on NBC's "Today" show. "She is a very loving host of other grandchildren."

McMillan also said the family was "quite clearly troubled" about the circumstances surrounding Jackson's death, adding he had been healthy enough to be rehearsing for 50 upcoming concerts just days before his death.

Asked whether the family suspected foul play, McMillan said those words were "too strong an indictment."

Edward Chernoff, a lawyer for Michael Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, said in an interview Sunday with The Associated Press that Jackson still had a faint pulse and a warm body when Murray found him in bed and not breathing Thursday afternoon.

Chernoff said Murray was at the pop icon's rented mansion when he discovered Jackson. The doctor immediately began administering CPR, Chernoff said.

"He just happened to find him in his bed, and he wasn't breathing," the lawyer said.

Chernoff said his client never gave or prescribed Jackson the painkillers Demerol or OxyContin, and denied reports suggesting that the doctor gave the pop star drugs that contributed to his death.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials said their autopsy found no indication of trauma or foul play. It also dismissed widely circulated reports that Jackson was riddled with needle wounds, nearly bald, and weighed just 112 pounds when he died, saying that most of that information was totally false.

But because of additional tests, an official cause of death could take weeks to determine. Jackson's family has requested a private autopsy.

Once the investigation is completed, Chernoff said, he expects Murray to be exonerated.

[litasix]

I think everyones negative talk about MJ is ridiculous. I think all the haters are jeolous because he accomplished something others didn't. I am hurt about his death and I wish his children and family the best. Like him or not He has done more for the world then anyone else. Don't let your jelousy get the best of you.

[katiesmom157]

Michael's parents should NOT get control of his estate or the kids! They had their chance to raise children, and look what happened! Joe Jackson worked his kids to death! Katherine stood by and let it happen, a Mom should protect her kids, not look at how much money they can make for them. How much do they think it will take to "administer" the estate? What other source of income does Joe and Katherine have??? After milking Michael all these years...whose next???

We should give Debbie Rowe a chance to be a parent. Michael did a fantastic job, now pass the torch to the Mom. KEEP THE GRANDPARENTS AWAY!!!!

[peaceinmind]

Condolences to the 3 children who lost their only parent. RIP Michael.

[jodyeangel2]

i liked Michael Jackson's music & i feel his family's pain & send my condolences out to them, but enough is enough..all you hear is Michael Jackson on the news. Where is the real news at these past 7 days...

[erasmus111]

by toldyouso29 June 29, 2009 9:17 PM PDT

Both Katherine and Michael and the rest of the family know that Joe is alledgedly a child predator who raped his own kids including Michael, Janet and LaToya.


You use the word "alledgedly", but you are stating it like it's fact. You know that to be a fact, do you? We know that he was very strict and they had no childhood, but we do not know that he molested the kids.

[toldyouso29]

SORRY but Katherine Jackson should NOT be allowed to be guardian of those kids. Michael had a good reason to not let his family be in the loop when it comes to kids, Both Katherine and Michael and the rest of the family know that Joe is alledgedly a child predator who raped his own kids including Michael, Janet and LaToya. If Katherine could not and did not bother to protect Michael and the rest of her kids from the wandering genitalia of Joe Jackson, how much more could the kids be victimized? Let the kids return to their respective mothers, the nanny and prince have absolutely no claim and to place them with Katherine and Joe is child endangerment. For the sake of Michael's kids--JOe must be kept far away from them, he only would want them for the money and for the potential to have more child victims to molest--if the rumors and what Janet, LaToya and even Michael alluded to are true.

Katherine aided and abetted a child molester, she should NOT get those kids or her hands on the money--she and Joe have had a free ride long enough.

[WiseWidget]

Don't give these people one red cent! Bunch of con artists.

[vielmann]

It appears that the idiot comments are on parade today. People get a life!!!!!!!!

[MissUT]

Because of past family history, I don't believe the Jackson parents, Joe and Kate, will get permanent custody of Michael's children and his estate. LaToya also has no relationship with her father, as did Michael, because of being ridiculed and beaten as children. I believe the Nanny should get custody, as she is closer to the children than anyone else. As far as his estate is concerned, I hope the courts will appoint an attorney or at least someone with no ties to the family. This is the only way his debts will be paid and that the money will be put into trust for his children. Otherwise, I believe Joe would love to get his hands on Michael's money in order to finance his many ventures. What a mess...my heart goes out to his 3 children...they have lost the only parent they have ever known. God bless the children.

[peaceinmind]

You had the time to jump in.

[hungry1968-15]

He had NO WILL, and his family was kept completely in the dark regarding his affairs.

Everything he has, should be used to pay off his massive debt, and if anything is left over, it should go into an interest bearing escrow account for the children to split evenly, when they get older.

All of the money grabbing should stop there.

[KierraSinclaire]

Common sense would dictate that since Jackson was not married at the time of his death that his children are heirs to his estate. Since his chilfren are minors, the estate, and the children should go to custody of his mother and that she should put his estate in a trust until they are adults. To me, that is just.

[credibility2]

Jackson's parents aren't fit to have his kids. The mother was enabler of the father's abuse of the kids. They're just out to get their talons on his estate under the guise of being loving, caring and doting grandparents. Phonies. Disgusting.

[justsane-2009]

it is reported that jackson was $400 million dollars in debt, so what 'estate' is she wanting to control? i think that the family can wait until a will is found...

[brianp55]

Not only are the vultures circling, they have begun to swoop in and rip large ragged chunks of flesh from the carcass.

[formrusmcsgt]

Jackson never told his family who he had in place to handle his business affairs...
----
There's a statement there.

[barbaram99]

It is a mess. I think the children need to be where they are and out of the public eye. The man is not buried yet and all ready they are fight over money,the kids. The man died in debt. His family needs to do the right thing. The children's mothers gave up their rights to them.Michael Jackson had issues but he must have made his wishes known in writing about the children. It is not easy for them as they lost a parent. I hope they are cared for. He gave the world his music. His personal life,,He is dead,He is not here to answer. Next..we move on,,

[hungry1968-15]

Michael Jackson SHOULDN'T have had custody if his kids!!

[mahdeealoo]

Denials, allegations, custody battle, all part of the dance. I'm glad Michael is free from the circus created by his parents abuses of him and self-made. His life was a continuation of shaking the finger at himself and beating himself up when he was no longer in the presence of his father's abuses. Let's hope that his children are treated with respect and are able to live in a loving, caring, abuse-free environment. It's a very large order to fill, based upon their father's demise at the hands of their grandfather. Makes me cringe to think what is in store for them.

[rivey4]

You know what? MJ was an extraordinarily talented entertainer and I love the guy, but to all the rest of the hub-bub about who gets the kids or is executor of his will if he has one, I have to say ***. Because when I ask myself what impact will any of that have on my life, the answer is NONE. And the bottom line is...those kids will probably survive in spite of their parents just the way most kids do. So to Michael Jackson...see ya kid...you kicked butt while you were here.

[-TS-]

Murray has NO dea Number Nor License., Michaels Dead Body Photo'd
Heres Michaels Dead body On Gurny:

http://www.geocities.com/tsvondrashekmd/getattachment.jpg

Notice Its Nighttime. Obvious question, why was anyone inside home, in Michaels bedroom, specificlly, Murray, HAs NO License Nor dea number, its not hard to believe that claims to not have written prescription. Probably designer look alike drugs(called Police Drugs), known as: Diethlyamide, made to look like drugs mentined. Short lived trance effect is good indication of that.
Most likely Murray entered Michaels bedroom, suffocated Michael Jackson with Rubber Bag over head(Procedure Pathologies Like Cardiac Arrest), standard medical termination device, then got caught, late at night, Getting Thru While Family & Michael Was asleep. yet

coroner is nO md ethier. Bet is PEPSI ruined Michael Jacksons face when contract was disputed, Killed michael Jackson when Michael was about to start new catalog of songs. Pepsi is Russian company & thats :From Russia With LOVE. Gangster Mayhem & Killing, enforced thru others by False Promises.
Signed:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART von DRASHEK M.D.

posted by thomasxstewart on Jun 29, 09 at 10:47 am

Posted by: ThomasStewart | June 29, 2009 2:07 PM