Michael Jackson’s mother will get custody of the late pop star’s three children after reaching an agreement with his ex-wife Debbie Rowe, avoiding a custody battle only days before a court hearing on the matter.
Rowe will have visitation rights with her two biological children with Jackson — Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11, under the terms of the agreement, lawyers said on Thursday.
The biological mother of Jackson’s third child, Prince Michael II, 7, also known as Blanket, has never been revealed.
Jackson’s mother, Katherine, 79, was granted temporary custody of the children after he died from cardiac arrest on June 25.
The Thriller singer stipulated in his 2002 will that he wanted his mother to care for the children, but following his death, Rowe seemed to consider challenging Katherine Jackson’s custody. A hearing on the matter was set for Monday.
“Mrs Jackson and the family are pleased this matter is resolved and was handled in a caring, thoughtful and courteous manner by the parties and their representatives,” Londell McMillan, Katherine Jackson’s attorney, said in a statement.
“We were all united in our goals to do what is best for Michael’s wonderful children, and both Mrs Jackson and Debbie Rowe were on the exact same page,” McMillan said.
Eric George, an attorney for Rowe, said in a statement the agreement was a “dignified outcome.”
Jackson left his estate, valued at more than US$500 million in an attachment to his will, to a family trust that benefits his children, his mother and charities.
“That estate is worth, in my estimation, a couple of billion dollars,” McMillan said in an interview on CBS News’ The Early Show, referring to the future value of the estate if it achieves its potential earnings.
“You hear US$500 million. Don’t buy it,” he said.
Estimates vary widely. Several recent reports including one in the Los Angeles Times have put a net value on the estate of US$200 million.
Meanwhile, the coroner’s report on the cause of the pop star’s death is still awaiting toxicology and other test results.
Authorities investigating Jackson’s death alluded to the singer as an “addict” and were seeking evidence related to the powerful anesthetic propofol, according to search warrants released on Thursday.
The documents show investigators have cause to believe several California Business and Professions codes had been broken, including “excessive prescribing,” a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 180 days.
Los Angeles police and federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents spent much of Tuesday at the Las Vegas home and business of Jackson’s personal doctor, Conrad Murray, who is the focus of a manslaughter investigation. The raids sought evidence supporting that charge, as well as code violations, including “prescribing to an addict” and “unprofessional conduct.”
The warrants, which had been sealed when the searches were conducted, also said investigators wanted all documentation relating to the “purchase, transfer, receiving, ordering, delivery and storage of propofol.”
A law enforcement official earlier told reporters that on the day Jackson died, Murray gave him propofol to help him sleep and that the anesthetic may have caused Jackson’s heart to stop. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.
Propofol is commonly used for surgery and is not meant as a sleep agent or to be given in private homes. Because of its potency, only trained anesthesia professionals are supposed to administer it and patients are to be monitored at all times.
Murray, a cardiologist, has spoken to police but not commented publicly. His attorney, Edward Chernoff, did not comment on Thursday, but has previously said the doctor did not prescribe anything that “should have” killed Jackson.
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