Katherine Jackson’s lawyer went on the CBS Early Show this morning to announce that a custody deal has been worked out. Katherine will receive full custody of all three of Michael’s kids. The lawyer also noted that Michael’s estate is in much better shape than previously reported. As far as I can tell, the only thing that’s been worked out is the kids’ custody, but the financials are still be hashed out. Katherine wants guardianship over Michael’s estate, as well as the kids, but I doubt that will happen:
The 79-year-old mother of Michael Jackson will receive full custody of the pop singer’s three children under the terms of a deal that has just been reached, her lawyer told The Early Show Thursday morning.
“There is no situation better for these children than for them to be raised and reared in the loving care of Mrs. Katherine Jackson,” L. Londell McMillan said.
He added that the issue of Debbie Rowe, who is the mother of two of the children – Prince Michael I, 12, and Paris, 11 – will be detailed in an announcement to come shortly.
As for speculation that the King of Pop left his family with more debt than money, McMillan said there’s no reason for the children or his mother to worry about going broke.
“That estate is worth, in my estimation, a couple of billion dollars,” he said. “You hear $500 million. Don’t buy it.”
[From People]
The two names constantly mentioned for the kids’ custody was Debbie Rowe, biological mother of Paris and Prince Michael, and Janet Jackson, Michael’s little sister. Janet is said to be extremely close to the kids, and might be looking to take an active interest in either helping her mother raise the kids, or taking over guardianship at some point.
According to TMZ, Debbie Rowe isn’t getting much of anything. She will get visitation rights, probably as some kind of limited access to her children, nor will she get any kind of financial settlement. But Debbie was granted one important detail – a psychologist will be visiting and monitoring the kids’ mental health and well-being:
TMZ has learned Debbie Rowe has settled her custody issues over Michael Jackson’s children and it doesn’t involve a single penny … but it does involve a shrink.
Sources tell us, Rowe has agreed that Katherine Jackson will be the guardian of Michael’s children, subject to the judge’s approval.
Rowe will get visitation of the two children she had with Michael.
But here’s what’s interesting — Rowe wants and will get a psychologist who will visit the children and help them adjust to her being in their lives on a meaningful basis.
Rowe will maintain her parental rights. We’re told the agreement does not specify the amount of visitation.
The agreement says Rowe has no parental rights to Blanket, Jackson’s youngest child.
[From TMZ]
I suppose this is one of the better solutions. I’ve heard over and over again that Michael’s wishes for his kids’ custody really would have been his mother first, and Janet second. It bothers me that Katherine seems too interested in getting control of the money as well, but it seems like the estate’s guardians are going to put up a fight on that one. Most likely, it will take years to figure the financials.
Katherine Jackson is shown out with Jermaine on 5/22/09. Credit: BARM/Fame Pictures
Frankly, I do not think that Katherine Jackson is the best person to raise those children. She certainly did not do such a bang up job with her own. She let that vile husband of hers use and abuse their kids so he could live off of them his entire life. This old lady is also starting to annoy me with her demands that she be a co-executor of the estate. That means, she will be the puppet for her greedy SOB of a husband that she has refused to divorce all these years.
What kind of life can an 80 year old woman provide for those children. Hopefully, the Jackson sisters will take an active role and the Grandfather will be kept at arms length away.
I feel sorry for those children. They have a long, hard, road ahead of them and really, I do not beleive, no one really in their corner. wanting the best for them. It is all about the money. Katherine is merely a puppet of that old SOB, and that is very sad for those kids.
This is what Katherine’s attorney revealed. I am amused = )
Both sides protect their images while telling little. Guardian ad litem appointed, (good possibility), and given the ongoing speculation on the bio-parents the truth be told to these children, who have every right to know.
Why does everyone assume MJ’s sisters need to step up to raise the kids? Don’t his brothers have families too? Why aren’t they stepping up?
I’m sure all the Jackson’s will be pitching in but the most important person who has actually raised the kids is their nanny. That’s probably the best person to raise them. She has nothing to gain and seems to provide some stability for them.
Mommy-I say the sisters should step up because the brother’s are as corrupt as the father is. The sisters have long had issues with their father. Rebbie and her father have barely spoken since she married in the late 1960’s. LaToya, although briefly estranged from Michael, was close with her brother in their later years together and hates Joe as well. Janet, lately, has been very vocal about her disgust at the things the father AND brothers have proposed doing regarding issues with singing along with dead Michael al la Natalie Cole/her dad. Janet too steers clear of the father. The brothers are as greedy and misguided as their troll of a father and that is why I said the sisters should step up, in ordewr to protect those children from the monster that is Joe Jackson.
And this is why MJ left a Will specifically appointing other people to be the Executors of his estate and manage his kids trust fund. Look how fast Mommy Jackson is lawyering up to get her hands on MJ’s money.
Kaiser, I think this headline is misleading. I read it as Debbie getting a psychiatrist for herself.
She may need one, but she’s not getting one under the terms of this deal, which provides for psychological help for the kids.
Read somewhere that DR wants a psych. to help with seeing her children again and have them adjust to that as well as other things. Great idea. Also KJ is old and money grubbing and did not protect her own children. But these kids are used to the weird and are more fortunate than many hungry, needy children.
“I’ve heard over and over again that Michael’s wishes for his kids’ custody really would have been his mother first, and Janet second.”
Not sure where you heard that – I have heard repeatedly it was Dianna Ross second….
It’s really starting to creep me out how often I read the words “should” in the comments. It’s not my family, and I may have opinions but I don’t actually know these kids or their extended relations. None of you do. Take one moment and put aside the celebrity aspect – you wouldn’t be okay with total outsiders declaring what you SHOULD do if your father/son/brother died. You would do what was right for your family. Out of respect to three children who didn’t ask for our attention, I think it’s time we all stop acting like we know what’s best for them.