UPDATE: CNN is confirming that Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine has filed a petition seeking legal guardianship of her son’s three children. The hearing is scheduled for August 3rd.
UPDATE: Londell McMillan, who is a Jackson family lawyer appeared on the “Today” show this morning and indicated that Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine wants custody of his three kids. Michael’s three children will most likely remain with their grandmother, Katherine, who currently has custody.
Click here to see rare photos of Michael and his kids
UPDATE: We’re hearing that Michael Jackson’s three children want to stay with their grandmother Katherine Jackson.
According to tmz.com — Michael Joseph, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine and Prince “Blanket” Michael II — say they want to stay with their grandparents, specifically Katherine.
Here’s what they’re saying:
Sources say MJ’s kids will continue to live with Katherine Jackson at the family’s Encino home. We’re told the family is 100 percent behind this — feeling that Katherine and Joe Jackson are the only people who can help the children understand who their father was, help them grieve, and teach them to deal with life in the spotlight.
We’re also told the kids are healthy but, as expected, they “miss their daddy.” They have no relationship with Debbie Rowe, who is the biological mother of Michael and Paris.
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UPDATE: Radaronline.com has learned that Michael Jackson wanted his mother to raise his children if anything ever happened to him.
Debra Opri who is Joe and Katherine Jackson’s attorney, revealed the following to RadarOnline.com exclusively.
“Katherine will be the custodial parent for the kids. It was understood that Katherine is the best person to take care of the children as she can provide a stable, loving environment for the kids. The children will remain with Katherine, and she should raise them,” Opri tells RadarOnline.com.
Opri began working with Michael’s parents during his molestation trial in Santa Maria, California and still continues to work with them. Opri addressed Debbie Rowe stating, “I believe she surrendered her custodial rights to the children, but I’m sure that this will eventually be heard in court or arbitration.”
Opri also says the Jackson family is grieving and that the funeral for Michael will most likely happen within the week.
Coroner says no foul play in Michael Jackson’s death
UPDATE: Michael Jackson’s family have spoken out and want it known that will fight Debbie Rowe to make sure she does not get custody of Paris and Michael Jr. will wage an epic battle to make sure Paris and Michael Jr.
TMZ is reporting the family reacted to published reports earlier that Rowe never legally gave up her custody rights. Under California law, Rowe is in a position to get custody of her biological kids if she wants them, provided it would not be detrimental to the children.
The family complained to us the kids don’t even know Debbie Rowe — she hasn’t been a part of their lives. They say the kids must remain “within the family.”
Coroner says no foul play involved in Michael Jackson’s death
UPDATE: Debbie Rowe, mother of two of Michael’s kids is poised to take full custody of the two children she bore for the singer.
According to tmz.com, it has been widely reported Debbie Rowe gave up her parental rights to Paris and Michael Jr. That is not true.
During the custody fight that Rowe had with Jackson in 2005, she attempted to give up her parental rights, saying Michael was the greatest father ever. Retired Judge Stephen Lachs, who presided over the hearing, initially ruled her rights were terminated … but then Lachs reversed his decision.
Michael Jackson’s Most Controversial Moments
Here’s what happened. We spoke with Lance Spiegel, the lawyer who repped Jackson at the time. Spiegel says under the law, the Department of Children and Family Services must conduct a parental fitness investigation before parental rights are terminated and that didn’t happen with Rowe.
So Rowe has never given up any of her parental rights. As a result, under California law, Rowe is now presumed to be the person who will get custody. The only way Rowe can be denied custody is if a court determines it would be “detrimental to the children.”
As for whether Rowe will ask for custody …. our sources say you can bet on it. We’re told if Rowe gets custody she will get “a huge amount of child support from Jackson’s estate.”
Check out Michael Jackson’s unforgettable performances here
If Rowe gets the two kids, what will happen to Blanket? Why split the kids up
With their father gone, no one can predict what will happen to Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7.
According to abcnewscom, it seems a custody battle is brewing between Michael Jackson’s nanny Grace Rwaramba and his mother Katherine over the singer’s children Prince.
US magazine is reporting that the Jackson family attorney says the singer’s three children are doing fine.
“They are in the care of a nanny,” he tells Usmagazine.com, adding that they’re staying with their grandmother, Katherine. “Ms. Jackson will care for them and I’m sure there will be all kinds of discussions that will take place about the kids.”
Michael speaks on fatherhood:
The children – Blanket, 7, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael, 12 – are “just beautiful,” Oxman says. “They’re well-trained, well educated and extraordinarily talented. They get to play with their cousins and their nieces and their nephews. They are just smarter than smart can be.”
The kids godfather former child actor Mark Lester speaks:
(Paris and Prince Michael were born through artificial insemination when Jackson was briefly wed to Debbie Rowe. Prince Michael Jackson II’s mother’s identity was never released.)
Take a look at our gallery of the King of Pop and his family below:
