Jackson's mom gets custody of kids

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has appointed Katherine Jackson as the permanent guardian of Michael Jackson's three children in a hearing concerning the estate of the late singer.

Judge Mitchell Beckloff is presiding over the hearing, and has to rule over a long list of items, including the administration of the pop icon's financial dealings.

Katherine Jackson arrived in court Monday  flanked by her daughters LaToya and Rebbie and son Randy.

Beckloff also allowed for a monthly allowance for Jackson's mother to be handed out retroactively to June 25 — the day the 50-year-old singer died from cardiac arrest. A coroner's report is due out soon. 

The amount of the monthly stipend was not revealed in court. Similarly, the judge did not disclose any terms of a deal reached by concert promoter AEG Live and other groups involved with the King of Pop's planned comeback concerts in London and the singer's estate.

Beckloff ordered AEG Live to turn over records related to the settlement and the contract for the 50 shows to Katherine Jackson, but placed restrictions on who else could see the information. The judge has a week to review the settlement and decide whether to approve it.

Dermatologist raises objections in custody case

Prior to the decision, a lawyer for Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's dermatologist, raised objections to the custody arrangements.

Mark Vincent Kaplan said the doctor had a long-term relationship with the singer and his children and was concerned about their education and other parenting issues.

In the end, Beckloff determined Klein didn't have legal standing to object to the care of Jackson's children.

Klein has denied tabloid reports that he is the biological father of Jackson's children.

Katherine Jackson had already won temporary guardianship of Prince Michael I, 12, Paris Michael Katherine, 11 and Prince Michael II, 7, called Blanket, in an agreement with Debbie Rowe, the singer's ex-wife. Rowe is the mother of the two older children. Blanket was born to an unnamed surrogate.

Battle over estate control

In the meantime, Katherine Jackson is also contesting the power of attorney. John Branca and music executive John McClain were stipulated in the singer's will to be the administrators of his estate.

Court documents indicate the estate has a current worth of $100 million US.

Issues that will be dealt with in the extensive hearing include:

• Whether Katherine Jackson can challenge the two men in charge of her son's estate without losing her 40 per cent share of the estate.
• Whether to allow her attorneys greater access to her son's records in her claim that Branca and McClain have possible conflicts of interest.
• Whether Branca and McClain should continue administering the estate.

Beckloff ruled that Branca and McClain will remain in charge of Jackson's estate until at least October.

Beckloff said he needed more information about the motion, including a copy of the private trust that contains a "no contest" clause stating that anyone who challenges Jackson's will should be disinherited.

The judge said he thought the law allowed Katherine Jackson to challenge Branca and McClain based on narrow arguments and scheduled an Aug. 28 hearing on the issue.