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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(Page 3 of 39) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. Those kids do not even know her. Poor kids. There life always have been a circus. I am so sad ;(

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

32. WAIT DO HIS CHILDREN EVEN KNOW HER? CAN SOMEONE TELL ME IF SHE SOLD THOSE KIDS TO HIM???? If so, what kind of mother would do that.

Posted at 12:11PM on Jun 26th 2009 by just saying

33. I think she got close to 8.5 million in a settlement for those children from MJ. I can't think that there will be much money left in MJ's estate since he was 400 million in the hole. We shall see.

My thoughts and prayers on with his children and family.

Posted at 12:15PM on Jun 26th 2009 by scotty

34. THAT IS A SHAME SHE HASNT WANTED ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM, AND NOW THAT THERE IS MONEY INVOLVED ALL THE SUDDEN SHE WANTS TO BE A MOTHER, I PERSONALLY DONT THINK IT SHOULD BE ALLOWED

Posted at 6:16PM on Jun 26th 2009 by TINA

35. Those children belong with their Mother, PERIOD.

Posted at 12:15PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Marie LeClere

36. The 3 kids are already damaged psychologically. But (((WHO))) is their biological father????? Michael? "[N]igger, please!" Not gonna happen. Maybe the birth father will come out of the woodworks and fight Deb the dy|ke for them.

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

37. Nellie your an idiot! i think janet should adopt his kids..

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

38. I hope Rowe takes custody of the two kids. They'd finally begin life as "normal" not bizarre and eccentric. The youngest child though...my heart goes out to him.

Posted at 12:13PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Barb

39. Painfull to watch this. His legacy is haunting him even in his death and will ultimately ruin his children's lives. The sharks are trolling around waiting for the precise moment to pounce.... I'm ashamed to be a part of this society. RIP Michael.

Posted at 12:14PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Chris Kemper

40. This would be terrible. The children should stay together and be with someone they know.

Posted at 12:15PM on Jun 26th 2009 by erm

41. TMZ is assuming (like most on here) that Michael didn't leave a Will. Who can say, at this point, that Michael didn't make provisions for his children, in the event of his death? Either way, you can bet your last dime, that a fight larger than any we've seen before will transpire, if those kids are taken away from the Jackson family. Are you kidding me? In any event, I'd hate to think that a system (like DCF or whatever it is called in CA) who is support to support the family, would contribute to tearing it down, like they would if these grieving children are split from each other. Oh Man! This is all one big, terrible lesson that we all can learn so many things from, on so many levels.

Posted at 4:54PM on Jun 26th 2009 by ShayM

42. Double tragedy. Rowe might get the kids? Thats effn insane.
J Fleck go ef yourself you swine flu infested pig!! Seat behind your cheap pc and talk sh!t right, I dare you to go out in the public where all the fans are and say that you COWARD. And the rest who are leaving negative comments, your lonely pathetic lifes will end without a grief from a fly. It's only trailer park trash like you people that spew the negativity but the funny thing is you guys are the worse sinners in the world, brothers sleeping with sisters, mothers sleeping with sons, should I continue? SICKOS AND HYPOCRITES.

Posted at 12:16PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Caliente

43. "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."

What a sad reason to want your children back - for money? Like all the others who have asked - what about the youngest? The youngest appears to have lost not only a father but his brother and sister as well. Guess we'll have to wait and see if there will be a custody battle between Jackson's mother and their natural mother - who by alrights doesn't deserve her children unless she continued being in their life - but if she didn't - screw her she gave up her rights....

Posted at 12:14PM on Jun 26th 2009 by chinnie

44. She was in it for money, and you can't separate the three! NOOOO

Posted at 12:15PM on Jun 26th 2009 by A

45. I saw an interview he did and he said they called the nanny, Grace, Mommy. She has worked for him for years, google her. I'm sure he has some sort of trust set up and has prepared for where these children would live.

Posted at 1:25PM on Jun 26th 2009 by Big Katie

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