Mediator For Jacko Custody Fight?
Pop star Michael Jackson and his second wife have agreed to hire a retired judge to handle an unspecified "family law matter," perhaps to change the terms of the custody and visitation agreements of their two children.
In an order filed Friday, a judge approved an agreement reached by Jackson and Deborah Rowe on Jan. 27 to have retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen M. Lachs preside over the case.
Lachs works with a center for alternative dispute resolution that allows parties in civil disputes to hire private judges.
The matter is believed to concern custody and visitation arrangements for the couple's two children — a boy, 7, and a girl, who is 5 or 6, who reportedly live with Jackson.
A source tells "Entertainment Tonight" that Rowe has consulted family law experts in order to gain custody of their two children, reports ET anchor Bob Goen on CBS News' The Early Show.
Family law attorney Lynn Soodik, who is not representing either party, believes Rowe's legal action could be related to the child molestation case against Jackson,
"Especially due to the fact that Michael has charges against him, Deborah may be asking for modification of custody," she said.
Sources also say Rowe has tried repeatedly to make direct contact with Jackson, and he will not respond. That is an allegation that's been made by more than one of Jackson's former friends and advisers, frequently blaming his inaccessibility on his close association with the Nation of Islam.
When celebrities and high-profile people are trying to keep such matters private, they sometimes opt for what is known now as a "rented judge," said Goen. This retired judge will mediate or arbitrate. Then that judge can file the new agreement and it can be kept sealed, especially when children are involved. It's part of the official record but still stays confidential.
Rowe's attorney, Iris Finsilver, did not return a call for comment Tuesday. A call to Jackson attorney Lance Spiegel was answered by a recording saying Spiegel's law firm did not respond to media requests for comment.
Cole noted that the private judge's rulings would be as binding as if they were made in a regular family court, but would also remain private.
Rowe and Jackson were married in 1996 in Sydney, Australia, after they announced that Rowe, who worked as a nurse for Jackson's plastic surgeon, was carrying the pop star's child.
She gave birth to a son, Prince Michael, 7, and the couple later had a daughter, Paris, who is 5 or 6. Jackson has a third child, Prince Michael II, who is believed to be about 10 months old, but he has not disclosed the identity of that boy's mother.
It was Prince Michael II who made headlines last year when Jackson dangled him from the balcony of a Berlin hotel for fans to see.
The marriage ended in 1999 after Rowe filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Jackson had previously been married to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley.
"Entertainment Tonight" is produced by Paramount Pictures. Paramount and CBSNews.com, are part of Viacom, Inc.