US - Jackson

Questions over Michael Jackson's estate

Article published on the 2009-06-30 Latest update 2009-07-01 11:38 TU

Flower wreaths in tribute to Michael jackson outside the LA Coroner's Department building, 26 June 2009.
( Photo: Reuters/Phil McCarten )

A court in Los Angeles has awarded temporary custody of Michael Jackson's children and his estate to his mother. Controversy remains over his will, as the family says he didn't leave one, but one of Jackson's lawyer says he did. The court is to make a final decision on 6 July.

Prince Michael aged 12, Paris aged 11 and seven year-old Prince Michael II are officially being looked after by the grandmother, 79 year-old Katherine.

The late Michael Jackson's former wife, Debbie Rowe, is the mother of the two elder children. Legal experts say that she stands a good chance of winning custody if she desires.

Prince Michael II's mother's identity has never been disclosed.

Meanwhile, Jackson's father, Joe, said that no funeral date would be set until the second autopsy was complete. On Monday, the Los Angeles coroner's office took two bags of medication from Jackson's house as additional medical evidence.

According to the US daily paper, The Wall Street Journal, the future of pop star's estate is also complicated. For one, the assets are considered sizeable (he owned 50 per cent in Sony/ATV Music Publishing), but also his debts, which are believed to amount to some 500 million dollars.

Then there is the question of a will. The paper reports that one of Jackson's lawyers claims there is a will dating back to 2002, and that it excludes his father, Joe, leaving everything to his mother, children and some charities.

The report says the will could be presented to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday. The Jackson family maintains there is no will.