To-Do List Grows for Jackson Estate Battle

(CBS/ AP)  The handlers of Michael Jackson's probate and guardianship cases have a full slate at a hearing meant to tackle a number of estate and family issues.

At least one major hurdle was cleared last week with a custody agreement between Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and Deborah Rowe, the biological mother of the singer's two oldest children.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff has deferred hearing arguments or making rulings on several motions brought by attorneys for Katherine Jackson and the two men who have temporary control of the pop icon's financial matters: attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain.

Jackson's estate has been described in court documents as having an estimated value of more than $500 million, but its actual current worth is about $100 million, and could increase in value to $200 million or more with some financial restructuring, according to a person briefed on the matter. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

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Branca and McClain could leave Monday's hearing with a firmer rein on the estate. Similarly, Katherine Jackson could emerge with guardianship of her three grandchildren, since her agreement with Rowe, which grants the singer's ex-wife visitation rights, means no one is expected to challenge the current arrangement.

Meanwhile, Katherine Jackson said in a recorded phone interview with Geraldo Rivera that she doesn't believe her son died of natural causes. The interview aired Sunday night on "Geraldo at Large" on the Fox News Channel.

"All I know that my son is dead, and I don't think he just died of natural causes or whatever," she said. "He's too young to have that. Something happened. I don't know what it was. And I can't say."

In a newly-released CBS News poll, Americans believe Michael Jackson will be remembered more for his music than his personal troubles.

The survey found that 66 percent of those surveyed say the so-called "King Of Pop" will be remembered more for his legendary singing and dancing than for the plastic surgery, child sexual abuse charges and erratic behavior of his later years.

By contrast, one in four Americans say memories of that behavior will eclipse memories of Jackson's music.

The to-do list for Monday's hearing has grown in recent weeks, with Beckloff deferring decisions on several issues, most of which have to do with Jackson's finances.

Among the issues Beckloff is slated to consider:

• An allowance for Katherine Jackson and her grandchildren. The special administrators of Jackson's estate have asked for monthly stipends for the group, noting that Jackson supported all of them when he was alive. Beckloff delayed considering the payments until Monday, but attorneys on both sides agree they are necessary.

• Decide when Katherine Jackson will become the permanent guardian of her grandchildren, 12-year-old Prince Michael, 10-year-old Paris Michael and 7-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket. No one else has petitioned for custody of the children, and Jackson was her son's first choice named in his 2002 will.

• Whether Katherine Jackson can challenge the men currently administering the son's estate, without actually contesting her son's will. Her attorneys have asked Beckloff to decide whether if they petition to remove Branca and McClain as administrators, they will trigger a no-contest clause in Jackson's trust. Without the protection of Beckloff's ruling, Mrs. Jackson could lose her 40 percent share of Jackson's estate if she mounts a challenge to Branca and McClain's authority.

"She's entitled to a certain amount of financial information," CBS News legal analyst Lisa Bloom said of Katherine Jackson on "The Early Show". "Anything can come up at these hearings," Bloom said.


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• Mrs. Jackson's attorneys have expressed concerns about possible conflicts of interests that Branca and McClain may have, and have been seeking greater access to Jackson's records in the form of subpoenas and depositions. They sought that authority last week ahead of Monday's hearing, but were told they would have to wait until that day for a ruling.

• Decide whether Branca and McClain continue administering Jackson's estate. Court filings indicate the pair have already received $5.5 million from a former Jackson financial adviser, later identified as Tohme Tohme. They have also take possession of many of the King of Pop's property, and have said in court filings that they hope to finish several multimillion deals soon.

• Beckloff could be presented with some of those deals. The judge has already approved one that will bring Jackson's 1988 autobiography, "Moonwalk" back to store shelves. The singer left behind several unfinished projects and a trove of unreleased music.

[McClainExEmployee]

I am someone with some first-hand knowledge. I worked for John McClain in the late 80's at A&M Records in the A&R department when he was working with Janet. John McClain is BY FAR one of the most upstanding, level headed people I have ever met in the music industry. If Michael picked him (out of all the people he knew), Michael knew exactly what he was doing. John would never rip anyone off or do anything Michael would not want. From the John I knew and remember well, he will be looking out for the best interest of Michael?s wishes and his kids. The mother is the one with the problem if she thinks for one minute John would do anything to harm Michael?s unscrupulous. Get off John's case. By picking John as an executor, makes me think much more highly of Michael. He was of sound mind (and yes, I new Janet as well. She is a VERY nice girl. John told me Michael was much like Janet in his demeanor.

[saturn05]

Momma Jackson doesn't need the money you tird. But she also doesn't trust those two conivers with MJ's estate and I wouldn't either. Don't confuse Mrs. Jackson with Joe who does want money. But there is no love loss between those two. She should have control of the money due tothe children and I betcha she would have the best interest in the children over those two swindlers.

[formrusmcsgt]

MJ decided who'd administer his estate.

And it wasn't Momma Jackson - BY HIS CHOICE.

[momofdaisy]

Is it just me, or is anyone else sick of hearing about this pervert and his sick family?

Let the drug addicted pervert rest in peace!!!

[saturn05]

You are the sicko. Don't like the coverage then why read it, or don't you have the brains to turn it off, throw it away or whatever it takes so you are tempted to write on this issue.

[formrusmcsgt]

Momma Jackson now wants all the money.

She can't even respect her own dead son's wishes.

Says a lot about what kind of mother she is.......

[spiritwalk]

Why pick on the mother? The whole family is like that. These people have lied, connived and enabled this mess to happen and they all feed off it.

Take Jermaine for an example. In 2002 or 2003 went on Larry King to promote his tell all book on MJ; he even had an advance copy to show.
Six months later he went back on and not only denied he ever wrote one, but denied he had been on the show before talking about it. They had him on tape saying it and he just kept denying it. What kind of lying, manipulative scumbags are in that family?

Right now the family is trying to shift all the blame to his "handlers" from nurses to bodyguards. The BS will keep flowing from this family as long as money keeps flowing after it.