Judge denies Jackson family power over estate

A judge says Michael Jackson's longtime attorney and a family friend — the two people Jackson appointed as administrators in his will — should take over the singer's estate.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff issued his ruling after a court hearing Monday morning, overturning an attempt by Jackson's family to gain power over his estate.

Attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain had been designated in Jackson's 2002 will as the people he wanted to administer his estate.

Jackson died June 25, deeply in debt. But a court filing estimates his estate will be worth more than $500 million US.

The singer's mother, Katherine Jackson, had applied to oversee her son's estate but that was before the will surfaced. Her attorney, Burt Levitch, expressed concerns about McClain and Branca's financial leadership.

Levitch said Branca had previously been removed from financial positions of authority by Jackson. But Branca's attorney said he was rehired by Jackson on June 17, days before Jackson's death.

Katherine Jackson did not appear at Monday's hearing. Branca did attend.

The judge ordered Branca and McClain to post a $1-million bond on the estate, and said their authority over the estate will expire Aug. 3, when another hearing will be held.

Katherine Jackson's attorneys had asked that she be appointed to serve as a co-administrator with Branca and McClain.

Beckloff did not grant that request. Beckloff is now considering which powers over the estate to give to McClain and Branca and is expected to rule after a short recess.

There are numerous lawsuits pending against Jackson, including a $44-million federal claim filed by former publicist Raymone Bain, two lawsuits filed by Thriller director John Landis and another one filed by Thriller co-star Ola Ray.

A public memorial has been scheduled for Jackson in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday.