Jackson's mom gets guardianship of children
Katherine Jackson also gets estate control for now
June 29, 2009, 11:36 p.m.
STAFF REPORT
On Monday, Michael Jackson's three children, ages 7, 11 and 12, were placed under the temporary guardianship of their paternal grandmother, Katherine Jackson, by a Los Angeles judge.
The biological mother of Jackson's two oldest children, Debbie Rowe, will be invited to a hearing next Monday in which the judge will consider who should have custody of them.
She has, so far, not publicly indicated whether she will challenge the Jacksons for custody.
The judge Monday also gave Katherine Jackson temporary control of her son's "tangible personal property."
The Jackson family said it has not found a will for the singer, which would leave the division of his estate to the court.
No funeral plans have been announced for Jackson, although his father, Joe Jackson, said Monday the famed singer would not be buried at the Neverland estate. He also indicated the family would wait until they get the results of a second autopsy before holding a funeral.
Jackson's three children asked to see their father's body in the UCLA emergency room after they were told he was dead, according to the lawyer for Jackson's personal doctor.
"My understanding is that they did" see the body, attorney Ed Chernoff said.
Jackson left behind three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7.
The youngest son was born to a surrogate mother.