Los Angeles: Michael Jackson's mother Katherine Jackson has gained the temporary custody of his three children amid reports that the King of Pop has left a will, which excludes his father Joe Jackson from his multi-million property.
Jackson's 79-year-old mother Katherine Jackson was granted the temporary custody of Jackson's three children-- Prince Michael Joseph Jr, 12, Paris Michael Katherine, 11 and seven-year-old Prince "Blanket" Michael II by a Los Angeles Superior Court.
Katherine, who had also filed the court papers to take control of her son's estate, will have to wait till July 6.
Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, the mother of his two elder children is also expected to claim more access to her children and there is also the possibility that the mother of Jackson's youngest child, Prince Michael II, may emerge to reclaim the boy.
The identity of the surrogate mother of Jackson's third child remains a mystery till now. Jackson, 50, died on Thursday after a suspected cardiac arrest.
The court paper's filed by Katherine said that the pop star died without a will but a new lawyer of Jackson has come forward claiming that the singer left a will, which he says was written in 2002.
Jackson's will divides his estate between his mother and three children but he has reportedly left nothing to his father.
The singer shared an uneasy relationship with his father and had openly blamed Joe for abusing him as a child.
Sources close to the singer said that Jackson's former lawyer John Branca has the will and he may present it to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.
The will names Branca who was Jackson's lawyer between 1980 and 2002 and veteran music executive John McLain as it's executors. Branca also claims that he was rehired by the singer just a week before his death.
But singer's family has claimed that they have not seen the document, the Wall Street Journal said quoting family lawyer L Londell McMillan.
"No will has been presented to family or us. We will review any will when we see it," McMillan said.
The latest development is expected to cause further confusion over ownership of Jackson's property as the family braces for a lengthy court battle over his debt-ridden property including his fantasy-themed ranch Neverland and his musical legacy.
According to the Journal, Jackson left a debt of $ 500 million but the value of his assets could outweigh the debt possible by $ 700 million.
PAGE_BREAK
There are reports that the singer may have left some unpublished songs, which could be worth millions.
Jackson's Sony/ATV music catalogue, which includes some 750,000-songs including music by Beatles, Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond will also go to the late star's children. Jackson had a 50 per cent stake in the catalogue.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Jackson's family is planning a series of memorial services across the world, which will be a reflection of his global appeal.
Family lawyer Brian Oxman has already told Jackson's global legions of followers, "I can't imagine that the fans would be excluded."
Jackson died on Thursday after a suspected cardiac arrest. Fans continue to converge on the UCLA Medical Center, where the singer breathed his last and on Jackson's 'star' on the Hollywood 'Walk of Fame', where visitors queued up with
flowers, candles and toys.
The family is reportedly planning to bury Jackson at his Neverland ranch.
"We are making the arrangements now, we are not finished with it but we are gonna have it," Jackson's father Joe Jackson had told reporters.
Comments
0 comment