Michael Jackson's Estate - The Latest Court Moves

Saturday July 4, 2009

This past week saw a flurry of activity with regard to the probate of Michael Jackson's estate in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Here is a run down of all that transpired:

Monday, June 29, 2009 - Michael Jackson's parents, Katherine and Joseph Jackson, file their Petition for Letters of Special Administration, wherein they claim that Michael did not have a Last Will and Testament and seek to have Katherine Jackson appointed as Special Administrator of the pop star's estate.
Monday, June 29, 2009 - The judge assigned to oversee Michael Jackson's estate, Hon. Mitchell L. Beckloff, appoints Katherine Jackson as Special Administrator for the very limited purpose of controlling "tangible personal property currently in the physical possession of a third party, and to marshal and secure such assets." Bond is set at $500,000 and all other requests set forth in the petition, including gaining access to Michael Jackson's bank accounts and control of Jackson's interest in the Sony-ATV Music Publishing Catalog, are deferred until a court hearing on Monday, July 6, 2009.
Monday, June 29, 2009 - Jackson's parents also request that Katherine Jackson be appointed as temporary guardian of the person and estate of Michael Jackson's three minor children, and Judge Beckloff grants Mrs. Jackson temporary guardianship of the children (not the estate) until a hearing originally scheduled for July 6 that has been postponed until July 13 at the request of Michael's ex-wife, Deborah Rowe, who is the mother of two of Michael Jackson's three children.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - Rumors about Michael Jackson's will are put to rest when a Last Will and Testament signed by Jackson in July 2002 is filed for probate by two of the three executors named in the will, family attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, along with their own Petition for Letters of Special Administration. Attached to the petition is a letter dated August 26, 2003, and signed by the third executor named in the will, Barry Siegel, wherein Mr. Siegel declines to serve as a co-executor of Michael Jackson's estate.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - In addition to their own Petition for Letters of Special Administration, Branca and McClain file an Ex Parte Application to Vacate Court's Order Appointing Katherine Jackson as Special Administrator, and Katherine Jackson counters with her Opposition to (1) the Branca and McClain Petition for Letters of Administration, and (2) Motion to Vacate the Order appointing her as Special Administrator.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - Judge Beckloff denies the ex parte presentation of Branca's and McClain's Application to Vacate and sets the dueling Petitions for Letters of Special Administration for hearing on Monday, July 6, 2009.

Next court proceedings scheduled to take place in department 5, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012:

Monday, July 6, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - Hearing on the dueling Petitions for Letters of Special Administration
Monday, July 13, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - Hearing on the temporary guardianship of the estates of Michael Jackson's three children
Monday, August 3, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - Hearing to appoint one or more permanent administrators or executors of Michael Jackson's estate
Monday, August 3, 2009, 10:30 a.m. - Hearing to appoint a permanent guardian of the person and property of Michael Jackson's three minor children

Thus the saga of the probate of Michael Jackson's estate begins and the stage is now set for a knock 'em down, drag 'em out fight over control of Jackson's assets and children. Stay tuned for updates.

For a summary of the contents of Michael Jackson's will and links to copies of the will found on the web, refer to Reading Michael Jackson's Will Isn't a Thriller.

Links to other articles about Michael Jackson's will and estate:

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