John
08-03-2009, 07:13 AM
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 Mrs 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 £300 million, but its actual current worth is about £60m, and could increase in value to £120m or more with some financial restructuring, according to a person briefed on the matter.
Mr Branca and Mr McClain could leave the hearing with a firmer rein on the estate. Similarly, Mrs Jackson could emerge with guardianship of her three grandchildren, since her agreement with Ms Rowe, which grants the singer's ex-wife visitation rights, means no one is expected to challenge the current arrangement.
Meanwhile, Mrs Jackson said in a recorded phone interview with Geraldo Rivera that she doesn't believe her son died of natural causes.
The interview aired on Sunday night on Geraldo At Large on the Fox News Channel.
The to-do list for the hearing has grown in recent weeks, with Judge Beckloff deferring decisions on several issues, most of which have to do with Jackson's finances.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff has deferred hearing arguments or making rulings on several motions brought by attorneys for Mrs 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 £300 million, but its actual current worth is about £60m, and could increase in value to £120m or more with some financial restructuring, according to a person briefed on the matter.
Mr Branca and Mr McClain could leave the hearing with a firmer rein on the estate. Similarly, Mrs Jackson could emerge with guardianship of her three grandchildren, since her agreement with Ms Rowe, which grants the singer's ex-wife visitation rights, means no one is expected to challenge the current arrangement.
Meanwhile, Mrs Jackson said in a recorded phone interview with Geraldo Rivera that she doesn't believe her son died of natural causes.
The interview aired on Sunday night on Geraldo At Large on the Fox News Channel.
The to-do list for the hearing has grown in recent weeks, with Judge Beckloff deferring decisions on several issues, most of which have to do with Jackson's finances.