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

16. I happen to like Katherine Jackson. But Keith #14 is right. Branca and McClain will run the estate so that it gets the maximum amount of profit. Katherine Jackson knows nothing about this, and I doubt any lawyer knows more than Branca when it comes to this kind of estate. Branca is the lawyer that brokered the Sony catalog for God's sake! Katherine needs to back down and take care of the kids.

Posted at 2:47AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Chico

17. If she is executor then she can do with family trust as she wishes. She can embezzel millions from the children.

Posted at 2:47AM on Jul 19th 2009 by whatif

18. Well MJ clearly knew what he was doing when he had his will drafted. He named his executors because he trusted them. It's my understanding they had been in alot of business ventures together. MJ knew they could take care of his estate, thus provide for his children for the rest of their lives.

So, Katherine and her lawyers are playing with fire, by saying anything at all!
I mean a NO CONTEST clause is just that, right?
Reckon it's just plain old greed on her lawyers and probably some Jackson family members!
Good grief-- the jackson's and their executors would run that estate in the ground! Leaving the children BROKE!!!!!!!!!

Michael was no fool! Why do you think he left his family (other than Katherine) NOTHING???!!

Those pitiful children! I fear they are/will be exploited just like their father was!

Posted at 2:54AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Dixie

19. I dont really know if those lawyers were real MJ friends...

Posted at 2:55AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Lyn

20. I think joe jackson is behind all that mess and kathrine is manipulated by him. They should accept the will and not start fighting over it. Michael should rest in peace now and get buried. greetings from germany

Posted at 4:36AM on Jul 25th 2009 by antoinette

21. Don't you think that she wants to be an executor (or control who the executors are) so that they can all continue the disastrous and profligate spending lifestyle they've enjoyed for so long? Yes, she gets 40% of the estate, but how long before the estate is settled and she sees that money? He owed millions and millions of dollars to thousands of people. It'll be years before she knows what 40% of the estate is, much less receives it.

Puff daddy got his pimp stick out ready to beat her if she doesn't bring home the cash NOW! His 80 year old wrinkly butt's not gettin' any younger!

Posted at 2:54AM on Jul 19th 2009 by and a pound of flesh

22. It's going to be interesting when the newer will (from 2002 or 2003, I think) turns up. Marc Schaffel has it or knows where it is or something.

Posted at 2:54AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Hmmmmm

23. WHO GIVES A RATS ASS!!!!!

Posted at 3:26AM on Jul 19th 2009 by MindTerrorist

24.
This is really a no brainer. It's Joe and the rest that want her in control so the rest of the family has money too.

She has a life estate- which means it goes back to the estate when she dies. She can' will the 40percent away and there might be stipulations on how she can use it now or if it comes in payments. Bottom line, who pays for the rest of the family when she dies? They are trying to set the rest of the family up for life even though Michael did not do that. They need to get freaking jobs.

Posted at 3:00AM on Jul 19th 2009 by no brainer

25. http://www.tmz.com/2007/08/07/jermaine-jackson-off-the-hook/


For all of the Jermaine fans!
Good grief-- He won't even support his own children. His mother does, she gets her money from Michael!
Jermaine --- I definitely would trust him the least!!!

Posted at 3:01AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Dixie

26.
meant to say CAN't Will it away.

Posted at 3:01AM on Jul 19th 2009 by no brainer

27. LOL@ the Michael zone posting more articles with out any facts. You have to stay tuned to get the facts so why even write the srticle

Posted at 4:38AM on Jul 20th 2009 by to little

28. Joe prob has lawyers asking the judge or a ruling.....Katherine prob thinks Joe has the her best interest. Not, I think Joe wants all the control.

Posted at 3:03AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Margret

29. It's so obvious it's Joe Jackson and Jackson brothers and Latoya. This is disgusting.

Posted at 3:05AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Misha

30.
Lyn, what's not to trust about the lawyers for Michael? They didn't write themselves into the will did they?
The will sounds a lot like the way Michael was- he loved his mother and children but wasn't very close to the rest of the family. He pust it in a trust so it couldn't be squandered away. Smart man.
Who here has a motive? The Jackson, not the lawyers.
Sure they get paid but they get paid either way. The court is watching them so how are they going to be shady? It doesn't work that way.

Posted at 3:11AM on Jul 19th 2009 by no brainer

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