Judge Addresses Jackson’s Estate; Katherine Jackson Named Children’s Permanent Guardian

UPDATE:

Following Monday morning’s ruling on the guardianship Michael Jackson’s three children and a short recess, the judge then moved matters surrounding Jackson’s estate. Here are the latest updates live from inside the courtroom. Check back all day for the latest information…

2:25 PM PDT – Branca’s attorney, Howard Weitzman, spoke to the press outside of the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse. He said he was pleased with what transpired in court, noting that judge admitted Jackson’s will to probate without any challenges. The judge also extended Branca and John McClain’s – also an executor of Jackson’s estate – powers of special administrator for 60 days. All parties are due back in court on Monday for further proceedings.

2:15 PM – The hearing has concluded. Lawyers will be speaking to the press shortly. The Jackson family will not speak at the press conference.

1:54 PM – John Branca, one of the executors of Jackson’s estate, said a settlement has been reached with AEG regarding Jackson merchandising and the rehearsal footage from the “This Is It” tour, which is to be used in a film about the late singer.

1:49 – Katherine Jackson withdraws her petition to be put in charge of Michael’s estate.

1:40 – Members of the Jackson family returned from their lunch break and enter the courtroom. The judge takes the bench.

12:05 – Judge Beckloff orders that Katherine Jackson must sign a confidentiality agreement in order to see Jackson’s contract with AEG, the company that was producing his “This Is It” tour. The judge grants her a week to review the contracts and return to court on Monday to further discuss. The judge also admitted Jackson’s will to probate. The court breaks for lunch.

11:32 – Judge Mitchell Beckloff took the bench

11:28 – Members of the Jackson family entered the courtroom

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A judge has awarded Katherine Jackson permanent guardianship of her late son’s three children.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff named Mrs. Jackson the guardian of Prince Michael, 12, Paris Katherine, 11 and Prince Michael II, 7, during a court hearing in LA Monday morning.

(To see the court documents awarding Katherine Jackson permanent guardianship of Jackson’s children, CLICK HERE!)

Many members of the Jackson family were present in court, including Michael’s siblings Rebbie Jackson, Randy Jackson and LaToya Jackson.

The court proceedings started off with hitch when Mark Vincent Kaplan, an attorney for Dr. Arnold Klein, attempted to intervene with the guardianship hearing based on, “his long standing relationship with the children… he wants to have a voice in custody.”

After a side bar, the judge said Dr. Klein had no legal standing and Kaplan left the courtroom.

Another hearing will be held in eight weeks time to see if there are any other issues regarding the children and to check on the welfare of the three.

The judge also ordered an October 2 date for a supplemental report on the children to make sure everything is going well.

Mrs. Jackson and Michael’s ex-wife Deborah Rowe reached a custody agreement out of court last week.

The judge also approved a monthly allowance for the three children, which was 84 percent of what was initially requested to care for the children. The amount was not disclosed.

Jackson’s children have been living with Mrs. Jackson at the family’s home in Encino, Calif. since their father’s death in late June.