Katherine Jackson Files Paperwork To Take Custody Of Michael Jackson’s Children
TMZ reports that Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson family, has just filed legal paperwork with the court in an attempt to gain full legal guardianship of the late Michael Jackson’s children — Prince Michael Joseph Jackson, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Joseph Jackson, II. Wasting no time and, apparently as a preemptive strike against biological mother Debbie Rowe, Katherine ensured that the paperwork was filed as soon as possible today:
A guardianship petition has been filed for Michael Jackson’s children by Katherine Jackson, the grandma. She is asking the court to appoint her as the guardian for all three kids. The petition states the kids have “no relationship with their biological mother.” According to the petition, the kids are in the care of Katherine and they have “a long established relationship.” The petition says the value of Michael Jackson’s assets are unknown at this time. Debbie Rowe is named as mother of two children in the petition. As for why Katherine thinks it would be “best” to appoint her guardian, “Minor children are currently residing with paternal grandmother. They have a long-established relationship with paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care.” The petition says it’s “not known at this time” whether the mother (Rowe) agrees that Katherine should be the legal guardian. As for Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II — MJ’s third child — the box where it says “mother” is checked “none.” The DOB is listed as January 21, 2002. A hearing is now set for August 3 to hear the petition.
I would be remiss if I didn’t note that any assets that would go to Michael Jackson’s children would go to the adult who has legal guardianship of his children. I am QUITE relieved that Katherine Jackson is the sole petitioner of this legal move to gain guardianship of the children because I honestly believe she has the children’s best interests at heart. It’s very telling that MJ’s father, Joseph Jackson (the man who was bizzy promoting his record label on the red carpet at the BET Awards last night while others were honoring his dead son), is not listed on the paperwork. If Katherine is the sole guardian of these children, then I think that would be very good news, indeed. It’s no secret that Joe Jackson was a terribly abusive father to his children, one hopes that he will not be allowed to inflict the same terror on his grandchildren. Protect those babies, Katherine!
UPDATE: Katherine Jackson has been granted temporary guardianship of MJ’s three children.
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
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June 29th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I think she would be a good caretaker if she is in good health, and as you said, keeps them clear of abuse from Joe. But Debbie Rowe is a literal stranger to her kids. She is on record saying multiple times that she is “not a mother” and “doesn’t want kids”. That’s not a good sitch either! Hope it all gets figured out quickly! Poor kids…
June 29th, 2009 at 10:12 am
just don’t let Miuchael’s dad anywhere near thiose kids, the guy is a creepy slimeball.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Are Katherine and Joe still married?
June 29th, 2009 at 10:24 am
See, I don’t agree that she is the best option because obviously she didn’t protect her own children from Joe Jackson. Why would it be any different with her grandchildren? I don’t know what the best option is for these kids, but I don’t think it’s Katherine or Debbie Rowe. Possibly a sibling or good friend with a stable family?
June 29th, 2009 at 10:24 am
@Splacer…..That’s what I wanna know too…..I didn’t think they were divorced. So wouldn’t the kids be living with Joe too?
June 29th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I hope she gets custody of the children as well, but Debbie Rowe is still the mother of two of them. I just hope it doesn’t become a huge battle. That’s the last thing those kids need right now.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Didn’t she go back to court for more time with the kids and settled for more money from Michael Jackson?
June 29th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I get the impression that Joe and Katherine do not reside together if they are still married. They were at separate residences when they received the news of Michael’s death. Doubt Joe will be a constant fixture in their lives. Katherine maintained a good relationship w/ Michael and his children so it makes sense for the children to go to her.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:37 am
joe and katherine jackson apparently have been divorced for several years, that’s why he’s not listed on the petition. I can’t remember where I heard that but they kept it quiet until recently.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I just found this from last night….In a statement Jackson made on the red carpet before going into the Shrine Auditorium, he said that he and his wife have the “personal and legal authority to act, and solely have authority for our son and his children.”
He still calls her his wife. So looks like they are still married. :(
June 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Team Katherine!
June 29th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Now wait a minute. Is Katherine still married to Joe??? I dont want Joe to have a thing to do with the children. I am hoping this turns out to be the safest situation for the children.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:46 am
is anyone watching this news conference with Joe Jackson? Grrr… the kids belong with Janet or Jermaine!! Poor kids…
June 29th, 2009 at 11:58 am
if katherine and joe are still married and live under the same roof then i dont believe that is the safest thing for the children, they have been through enough, but if katherine is living seperate from joe then sure.
@saddlebred: i totally agree, they should go to janet. just watching her at the BET awards last night almost made me break down and cry again.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
i wonder if they will keep the kids Nanny around. From what I’ve heard she was like a mother to them for and has been taking care of them since they were all born. They are already probally very scared and feeling abandon my their Dad. Losing another person from their lives doesnt sould like it would be good for their mental health.
June 29th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I definately agree that Joe should not be in the childrens lives but I also have my doubt about her keeping them. It seems that Katherine didn’t protect her children enough from Joe. I feel that a mother who allows a man to abuse her children for years is just as much to blame for how some of them (i.e. Michael) become unstable as adults. If she couldn’t protect her own children when she was young how is she going to protect her grandchildren at 80 something yrs old?
June 29th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
JOE AND KATHERINE ARE DIVORCED? I wonder where I was this all went down. Hmm Anyway, Im all for Katherine getting the kids AS LONG AS
June 29th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
…. Joe has nothing to do with their up bringing.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I say Katherine (if she is divorced from that man)
if not the children should go to Janet or Jermaine.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:00 am
He is not a nice man. I hope the kids are protected in all this.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
debbie rowe, a in case you didnt see her on the news, after michaels death- a real foul mouth! far cry from a lady and mother- sharon