Legal Battle Over Jackson Will Heats Up

Katherine Jackson Claims Executors Are "Keeping Her in the Dark"; They Say She's Trying To "Rewrite Michael's Will"

(CBS)  The battle for legal control of Michael Jackson's estate is heating up, with the late pop star's mother accusing the administrators of his will of "keeping her in the dark" about his affairs, according to a Los Angeles Times report Wednesday.

Katherine Jackson, 79, filed court papers in Los Angeles Tuesday asking a judge to force John McClain and John Branca, two business associates of Jackson's who were named executors in the singer's 2002 will, to submit to depositions and turn over documents, including the contract for Jackson's comeback shows in London.

Judge Mitchell Beckloff didn't grant a special hearing to Katherine Jackson's attorneys, instead saying that he would consider the issues along with others surrounding the case Monday, when he is set to address the validity of the will, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Howard Weitzman, attorney for McClain and Branca, said in a statement that allegations that the pair had "not been forthcoming in providing information to Katherine Jackson's attorneys is not accurate."

According to Weitzman, Katherine Jackson's team is trying to "rewrite Michael's will" to make her the executor. The will appointed her guardian of Jackson's three children.

After McClain and Branca produced the 2002 will, Beckloff ordered them to keep Katherine Jackson informed of business dealings regarding the estate until the legitimacy of the will could be established.

Weitzman said an offer was extended to Katherine Jackson to view her son's last contract for the London performances, provided she kept the terms confidential. She refused, said Weitzman.

[formrusmcsgt]

Like mongrel dogs fighting for a bone....

[saturn05]

I think these two guys should be investigated for fraud. If MJ was as drugged as they say he was, then he should not have signed any legal documents and these docs should be ousted. You have to be of sound mind and not under the influence to sign legal documents. Go Katherine, fight these jerks. They were probably ehind keeping MJ full of lethal drugs.

[janeyre-2009]

Don't allow those attorney's to have the freedom to do as they please. They will strip the Estate and keep Billions for themselves. Don't trust them to do the right thing, either... Keep your attorneys busy, Mrs Jackson.

[pianoman7503]

Leave it alone already, he's gone and will not be forgot. He did do the best superbowl halftime show in history.

[kcits]

No his sister did. :)

[kueiW]

I think I am entitled to at least $1 million for Jackson's estate since I was forced to listen to his aweful music every morning in Navy bootcamp. It seemed the Navy thought is was the best way of getting the black recruits up and dancing early every morning. When will the military stop using soldiers as human guinnea pigs? When will it stop?!

[docpeter1953]

They weren't using it to get the black soldiers up.

They were using it as advanced torture techniques.

Then cam along water boarding.

Actually I think Weird Al's versions of the same songs were much better, so TY MJ for providing Weird Al with good material.

[tajomari]

Shut your racist ass up. We are running the country now. Minorities in control.