Home : Michael Jackson : Debbie Rowe -- She Gets Custody if She Wants

Debbie Rowe -- She Gets Custody if She Wants

Posted Jun 26th 2009 11:52AM by TMZ Staff

Debbie RoweDebbie Rowe is poised to take full custody of the two children she bore for Michael Jackson.

It has been widely reported Debbie Rowe gave up her parental rights to Paris and Michael Jr. That is not true.

During the custody fight that Rowe had with Jackson in 2005, she attempted to give up her parental rights, saying Michael was the greatest father ever. Retired Judge Stephen Lachs, who presided over the hearing, initially ruled her rights were terminated ... but then Lachs reversed his decision.

Here's what happened. We spoke with Lance Spiegel, the lawyer who repped Jackson at the time. Spiegel says under the law, the Department of Children and Family Services must conduct a parental fitness investigation before parental rights are terminated and that didn't happen with Rowe.

So Rowe has never given up any of her parental rights. As a result, under California law, Rowe is now presumed to be the person who will get custody. The only way Rowe can be denied custody is if a court determines it would be "detrimental to the children."

As for whether Rowe will ask for custody .... our sources say you can bet on it. We're told if Rowe gets custody she will get "a huge amount of child support from Jackson's estate."

See Also

Michael Jackson Children Photos




Tags: child support, ChildSupport, custody, death, debbie rowe, DebbieRowe, dies, kids, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, overdose

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16. Poor kids. They don't even know her. I think the kids should go to Michael's mom or siblings. . .the kids know them as family, not Debbie Rowe.

Posted at 12:08PM on Jun 26th 2009 by SAD

17. good for her. Maybe those poor kids have half a chance at a normal life now.

Posted at 12:08PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Ali

18. Yes, Debbie Rowe should get custody of the childern she is there mother. And that would be great. She could give them a stable life. Not one where the childern would be walking around with hoods over there heads, these childern need there mother now. And have the right to know who there mother is.
No judge in the world should say no to her.

Posted at 1:22PM on Jun 26th 2009 by far out

19. It's not in the best interest of the 3 children to be separated (and I don't believe we ever learned who was the 'surrogate' who gave birth the Blanket). It would be better if one of the aunts or uncles receive custody.
Also, I thought Michael Jackson was in debt for millions of dollars. There may not be much of an estate left after all debts are settled.

Posted at 12:26PM on Jun 26th 2009 by San

20. She's always been in it for the Money...

Posted at 12:08PM on Jun 26th 2009 by FABIO

21. I honestly believe that she sold those kids. She was in it for the money. Lets not be fooled people. She does not deserve those kids. Just because she birthed them does not make her a mother!!

Posted at 12:09PM on Jun 26th 2009 by michelle

22. This appears to be the best thing for the children at this point. Some kind of normalcy for them. I do not think there is a Jackson that would be appropriate except for maybe Michael's mother, but the kids really should be with their own mother if that is an option.

The tragedy beyong the tradedy I am afraid we will see is how ugly the custody issues are going to be. The person who has custody of the children in effiect with have the custody of Michael's estate. Now that his income is not subject to his spending habits, even after the debtors take their share, there will be a considerable amout of income for years and years (royalties).

I work in this field and I see it every day. Nothing brings out the ugly in people like deaths and custody battles. This has both. Too sad of an ending for such a talented and tragic figure.

Posted at 12:10PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Angel

23. What a sad state of affairs! She didn't want them in the first place. It'll be so hard for these kids to go back to her after finding out that she gave them away and moved on with her life. She has already said that she hasn't seen them in years! Why not give them to a God parent, Kathryn, or a person out of the limelight? If she takes them, it will make her come off as being very money hungry. On second thought, isn't his estate $50 million in debt?

Posted at 12:10PM on Jun 26th 2009 by oh my

24. Oh she will want them alright. And all the publicity she has been denied of late. Her exclusives for Entertainment Tonight and other media outlets. She must be jumping up and down with glee right now, poor, poor kids. She always preferred horses!

Posted at 12:09PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Aileen

25. Wow...that's good to hear that she would get custody. Those kids need their mom. Who gets the little one? I'd hate to see them get split up though, they should all three be together. Hopefully the whole Jackson family and Debbie Rowe can work out something that is in the best interest of all the kids. So sad.

Posted at 12:10PM on Jun 26th 2009 by tmzjunkie

26. Hey Mr. obvious, if she cares so much about her children, why would ANY mother in their right mind give up full custody in the first place?! ESPECIALLY to a man who has, let's say a "questionable past" when it comes to his behavior around children!?

Posted at 12:09PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Kellie

27. I hope we can all remember Michael for the great musician and icon he was. Let's not get nasty - I, for one, don't believe the stories about his "alleged" abuse on kids. I hope these kids can grow up with a wonderful memory of their dad. I hope all 3 get to say together. RIP

Posted at 12:19PM on Jun 26th 2009 by ontopofit

28. @Nellie-don't you also think it's sad that two white people agreed to sell their sperm and eggs to some "self-hating" Black?

Posted at 12:09PM on Jun 26th 2009 by SAD

29. I hope she will do the right thing and take in the youngest too. Although I'm not too sure that she is fit to be looking after anyone's kids given her history. And who knows if there will be any money for child support - is she still in if there's no cash to be had? I think Janet is probably the most likely candidate, I think it would be nice if her and Jermaine Dupri did the right thing and tried to give them the life they should have had.

Posted at 12:10PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Jennifer

30. It would really be sad if this woman got custody of these children. My main objection is that she is only willing to take "her" 2 children and not all 3. All three of these children should be allowed to stay together. They have grown up together and should stay that way. Especially at a time like this!!!!

Posted at 4:41PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Karen H

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