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Why is Michael's Mom Mounting Legal Challenge?

Posted Jul 19th 2009 10:10AM by TMZ Staff

Michael Jackson's MomSources connected to Michael Jackson's family tell us some family members as well as lawyers for the estate are ticked off at some legal eagles who may be trying to start a legal war.

Attorneys Londell McMillan and Burt Levitch do not represent Michael's estate -- they represent Katherine Jackson personally. They filed legal papers Friday asking a judge to rule if Katherine can object to the appointment of the executors named in Michael's will and still collect the money her son left her.

Here's the issue. There's a "no contest" clause in the will, meaning anyone who files objections to the will automatically gets no money. McMillan and Levitch want to know if the "no contest" clause would apply if Katherine only objects to the executors Michael chose.

Here's what's bugging some family members and the lawyers representing the estate ... the will gives Katherine 40% of Michael's estate, so she can't be upset about that. The will names Katherine guardian for the children .. again, that's what she wants. And the named executors -- John Branca and John McClain -- are Michael's longtime, trusted advisors and friends.

So why would Katherine object to the will or the executors? A lot of people who are in the middle of it all feel Katherine is being manipulated and doesn't really understand the implications of mounting a legal challenge.

So why are McMillan and Levitch kicking up dust?

Stay tuned...


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Tags: challenge, john branca, john mcclain, JohnBranca, JohnMcclain, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, londell mcmillan, LondellMcmillan, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, no contest clause, NoContestClause, probate, will, will contest, WillContest

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(Page 1 of 49) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Enough with the Michael Jackson "news".

Posted at 2:13AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Brady

2. Let the man moon walk in peace.

Posted at 2:15AM on Jul 19th 2009 by The Clergy Ark

3. anyone got any extra demerol they can share w/me?

Posted at 2:19AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Demi

4. Branca was only hired by Michael days before he died. I dont think they were friends. Michael has fired him several times.

Posted at 2:21AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Cam Hamon

5. Isn't aksing if that applies , challenging the will. good gawd Kathrine. Hope you don't get a Judge in a bad mood.

Posted at 2:21AM on Jul 19th 2009 by whatif

6. The Jackson family are all vultures.

Michael should have given his estate to his kids and friends and let his money hungry family sit an watch with NOTHING.

Posted at 2:22AM on Jul 19th 2009 by oh man

7. If she contests anything - ANYTHING - she should get nothing! The 'No Contest' clause is there for a reason, respect the wishes of the deceased - or else!

Posted at 2:23AM on Jul 19th 2009 by The Amazing Xenu

8. Seems to me like the Jackson camp is more concerned with the will, money, etc... than Debbie Rowe is...
Let her have the kids, Katherine can keep her 40%, and everyone else can blow...If Katherine is being guided in the wrong direction due to the clause in the will, then that one is on her...She certainly seems capable of finding counsel that will not try and manipulate the situation...
Hey Harvey, what ethical ramifications are involved for whatever idiot lawyer is feeding Katherine full of crap?...

Posted at 2:23AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Hussie

9. Hey #5,
Branca was named an Executor when the will was drafted in 2002...Genius...

Posted at 2:24AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Hussie

10. I think there is joe jackson behind that . the kid should get everything and some of michaels organisations for lost children should get the money and nobody else.

Posted at 4:37AM on Jul 25th 2009 by antoinette pierce

11. Appears Mikey didn't love his kids, otherwise he would have dumped all drugs.

Posted at 2:35AM on Jul 19th 2009 by LA

12. The 'No Contest' clause is there so it’s crystal-clear what Michael wanted, otherwise the clause wouldn’t have been there. I don’t think any judge ignores that so everybody should just accept the will as it is written and stop questioning Michael’s final wishes.

Posted at 2:36AM on Jul 19th 2009 by RN

13. Papa Joe is probably behind her ass..manipulative bastard,i know how men like this are..money hungry good for nothing flop of a man..She's been so far one of the silent ones after MJ's death,which is understadable yet Papa Joe has jumpedat every chance to be in the publics eye,i reckon he's either threatening her..look at the man..thtdisgusting smurk on his face in his public appearances and interviews pffff...he'sthe type of manthat shows the word a different story but behind closed doors he's a devil..he accused katherine of smackin MJ morein his iterview..yeah right,if that's the case MJ wuld've mentioned this in the interviews he did,not once have i heard him say anything negative about his mother..only about hiis evil father..make me sick when i see Joe sitting there laughing i wanna throw my remote at the tv..poor MJ..one thing for sure is thank ggod he didnt out his fathersname in the will,i only feel sorry fo rKatherine,its alot to handle especially with such a domiinant manipulative man controlling her..i know they are still scared of him..i know what it feels like,i've been through similar things like Michael..Michael will not be in pecae till his kids are attended to till the judge makes the final decision,as for the money and estate i know as long as Mjs kids are taken care off he will be happy Michael was always a giver,and still after this tragedy he's still giving...in my opinion i always thought Janet should take care of the kids..even Jermaine,to me Janet,Jermaine and Katherine are the only genuie ones fromthe family,decent and loving and cared alot about Michael..to me they were and still are the only ones who believed in Mj through the bad and good,they encouraged him and supported him..God Bless them..and i'm prayng for Michaels 3 beautiful children...Love from Australia

Posted at 2:40AM on Jul 19th 2009 by lankandiva

14. It would seem that Katherine and Michael shared a very strong element of their character together. They are/were both easily manipulated.

Posted at 2:40AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Chico

15. I think that Katherine doesn't have a clue what is going on OR she is very greedy. She has been awarded 40% of the estate which is equal to the 40% that Michaels 3 adorable children will recieve combined AND she has been designated as the person that Michael wanted to see have custody of his Children. If awarded custody of the Children she will effectively control 80% of his estate. WHAT MORE DOES SHE WANT????

Posted at 2:42AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Keith

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