Behind the black wrought iron gates of the Jackson family mansion in Encino, Calif., Michael Jackson’s three children spend their days playing with their cousins and their pets and watching movies — but no news reports — as they adjust to life without their famous father.
Their grandmother Katherine Jackson tends to their needs and offers a calming presence. “His kids are strong,” says Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson. “They have a lot of love and care.”
That serene life may soon disappear. The children — 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jr., aka “Prince”; Paris-Michael Katherine, 11; and 7-year-old Prince Michael Jackson II (also called “Blanket”) — are pawns in what could shape up to be an intense custody battle between Katherine and Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of the two oldest children.
“Debbie believes Katherine has a good heart, but the life they would live with the Jacksons is unthinkable,” an insider tells OK!. “They belong away from the media circus. Kids need fresh air and freedom. They can’t get that at the mansion in Encino.”
But Debbie may soon have to decide between her kids or cash. “She’s likely to walk away with a lump sum of money if she agrees not to seek custody,” a friend of Debbie tells OK!. “She will probably end up with $100 million. It would be worth paying out, from the Jackson family’s point of view, to prevent a tug-of-war for the children.”
However others point at the discrepancies regarding how much MJ’s estate is worth, anywhere between $200 million and $500 million, including Attorney Larry Heller, a tax, probate and estate expert, who says that while “Debbie Rowe has some leverage as to the amount” she could receive in a settlement, “I wouldn’t be comfortable saying she could get quite that much. She could get several million dollars.”
On July 2, Debbie came out swinging in her battle for custody, telling KNBC Los Angeles reporter Chuck Henry, “I want my children,” and offering to submit to DNA tests to prove she was their mother. But her attorney, Eric George, later said she hadn’t reached a final decision on what to do in court.
Meanwhile, a court granted temporary custody to Katherine, 79. In Michael’s will, he asked that she be named the guardian — and if she was not able, singer Diana Ross, 65, should gain custody; he left no provision for Debbie to care for the children. “The fact that he left her out says loud and clear that he wanted her to get nothing,” says L.A. attorney Michael G. Dave, who specializes in family law.
A custody hearing is set for July 13, and the potential battle is already turning nasty. Michael’s sister Janet Jackson believes it’s “disgusting to use the kids for money,” a family insider tells OK!.
Janet, 43, has reassured Michael’s children that they won’t be lost in the commotion that has surrounded the family since her brother died. “She told them if they need her for any reason, even just to talk or if they want pizza, to call her immediately.”
This isn’t the first time custody of the kids has come up: In their 1999 divorce agreement, Debbie signed away her parental rights in exchange for an $8.5 million settlement. But when a teenage boy accused Michael of sexual abuse in 2003, she applied for custody again, even though she admitted she had not seen the children in years. In 2006, Debbie allegedly made another deal with Michael to relinquish rights to the children in exchange for cash.
While custody questions continue, the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services is investigating the welfare of the Jackson kids, prompted by reports of Michael’s drug use. It will also assess conditions at Katherine’s home. The report is expected to take a month to complete, but Jermaine says it’s obvious the children belong with Katherine: “The will is what it is,” he says. “This is what Michael wanted.”
For more on the custody battle between Debbie Rowe and the Jackson family, pick up the new issue of OK! — on sale everywhere Thursday!
Fuck thAT greedy money hungry bitcch!… h0w fuck y0u gone sell ya kids wat kinda bullshit is that!… ii hope MRS. jackson gets the kids and ii hope the judge can see past debbies money hungry ass
[...] Michael Jackson’s ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, often injected the late King of Pop with drugs while she worked as a nurse for his dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, TMZ reports. The evidence is revealed in law enforcement documents from MJ’s 2005 molestation trial. [...]
Wouldn’t the simplest solution to this problem be to ask the children what they want? I doubt that they will ask to be with Debbie Rowe; from what we’ve seen, she doesn’t seem to be close to them at all. When it comes down to it, the most important thing is that the kids are happy. In my opinion, the Jackson family would be the best choice because the children seem comfortable around them, and they get to be around other kids. If Debbie Rowe really cared about the children, she would do what makes them happy. To the Jackson children- i cant even imagine what this must be like for you, but you will be ok. RIP Michael Jackson xoxo
this is so sad. michael jackson was not only the king of pop, but he was also a father. people are being so insensitive- the man has just died and his children are obviously devastated, so why make it any harder for them? The custody battle can’t be helping any. The children should have a say in who will be their guardian/s, because ultimately, all that matters is that they’re safe and happy. Debbie rowe should let them decide who they want to be with.
To Cathi- HOW CAN YOU BE SO JUDGEMENTAL OF A MAN YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW?? How do you think his family, especially his children, feel when people say this stuff about their family? How would YOU feel? He is a human being and he deserves some respect. i mean, COME ON ALREADY!!! the poor man has just died! You need to get a life, because you are seriously sad. Just LEAVE HIM ALONE people!!! RIP Michael Jackson
This is so bazar. A Will is a Will and Michael’s last hope was for his children to be with there grandmother. Apparently, Michael know’s his ex wifes behavior and felt that His mother would be the better person. They will normal life, prehapes attend school, church etc…. Debbie may be to busy to take care of the children. Let her have visits. She is divorced from Michael. His mother is capable of making sure those children are going to get the warmth, unconditional love they need to be successful people in society, just like ther Mother and Father. Debbie saw an opportunity and took advantage of so let her ride it out by herself.
Michael Jackson she played into his emotions, becasue as much as he paid out of the divorce. He certainly could have adopted children. If the jude gives custody to Debbie then he is playing along with the bazar behavior of Debbie. Ms. Jackson I would not give her any money to settle because she already has been paid. And if your granted the custodial quardian you don’t owe Debbie anything, but the right to visit with her children. And if you decide after that she is a devoted parent to those children go from there.
Debbie Rowe, Don’t stand a chance. The kids need to stay with Kathrine and the rest of the Jackson family.
BEAT IT, DEBBIE ROWE!!!
To all the media and public: Michael Jackson was an all time great performer but he too like the rest of us in this world was a human being with a private life. Who his kids go to is none of anyone in the public or media’s eyes business. He is gone. Remember him for what he brought to us and that was music and dance that both amazed us and entertained us. Would you want a family member of yours exploited like this? Stop trying to dig up dirt!! You wouldn’t do this to a close member of your own family-so why must it happen to Michaels’? Let his family deal with their own family issues and stay out of it. Let them mourn the loss of a son,father, brother and freind. Yes he was great but he was also human and deserves the respect that any normal individual would. Let him go and leave his family and his private life alone. It is noone’s business but his own family and him.
Well, People you were wrong. The Jacksons did get the kids. Row did not get he millons and she did not ask. People realy lie.
what is this issue plz answer..what iss the number issue of this magazine