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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 4 of 49) Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. Londell McMillan was Michael's attorney for a short time. He was hired by Raymone Bain, Michael's former publicist/manager. When Michael fired Bain he also fired McMillan. Bain went on and tried to sue Michael for $44 million in a bogus lawsuit shortly before Michael died.

Londell McMillan now represents both Katherine and Joe Jackson. McMillan knows there is no way Katherine can handle the estate herself if she became the executor and would have her name him instead. It looks like Joe and McMillan are using Katherine to get their hands on Michael's estate. It's doubtful Katherine understands what's going on.

Posted at 3:47AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Money Grubbers

47. #15, 19, 21 and 27 - you all are on the money with this one. I'm still trying to figure out why, is it that they do not trust them but for what reasons. Are they out of money presently and they cannot support the kids as well as themselves at this time why she needs to be appointed as executor or appoint her own executor. They probably need to auction off some of M.J.'s things so they can get some cash now since Janet may be the one funding everything at this point until they can make some money from the estate or not. Life looks like it sucks for now for them. Do they need some control so Debbie can get paid. We wonder what the hell is going on?

I smell Joe behind this as well as her lawyers who need to get paid for their work and the estate may not be able to pay them at this time so they need some form of foothold in there because Michael's executors are saying NO to them when it comes to getting paid for their services. Shooottt, it's gettin hot in L.A. Maybe it is a case of "TRUST" or a case of "MONEY" or a case of more "POWER and CONTROL"? May God be on Katherine's side at this time because I would not want to see her loose everything, well it will all go to the children and whomever has them gets it all to use for their purpose but then if she looses it all, it reverts back to the kids or maybe she can will it to the other kids who cannot seem to lead a normal life outside of M.J.'s shadow because they choose not to do so. They need to stop living in the past and adapt to the present. I wonder who Janet will be giving her estate to if she passes away at an early age? They need to stop doing a lot of infighting and move on from this. Poor Janet, she seem to be the only sane one after Michael. I Still love the Jackson Family though. I pray God takes control of this situation and allow it to fair out the right way for the beneficiaries of the estate.

Hey TMZ did you steal this information from www.showbiz411.com, cause these speculations sound like the ones I read earlier today from that site? That is called plagiarism syke haha

Posted at 3:47AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Silly Girl

48. @32 LOL, Lisa Marie Presley? Are you kidding me? Lisa left Michael when he needed someone that loved him the most. She said in an interview that Michael was manipulative and didn't even want to have kids with him. Lisa just wanted to get into Mike's pants and 'pop of kings' the cherry, if yah know what im saying? I wouldn't trust any of that bunch with a goldfish... Praay for Michael's kids, pray that God will protect them...

Posted at 3:53AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Dirty

49. #21 No brainer,and others,I TOTALLY AGREE.
When you say Katherine Jackson,it is reallyThe Jackson family is guradian of the kids and the
That 1 billion will be after all a few years off.Sooooo,40%of,lets say,right now,500 million =how much?
KJ willl divide her 40% with her 7poorer kids like Randy who is a mechanic.Janet is worth a few million.She better get married and have some babies.Does Joe Jackson's outside daughter get any?
G R E E D!!!!

Posted at 4:02AM on Jul 19th 2009 by EmmyEmilyEmma

50. Money Grubber I agree with you...they are trying to be leeches and take Katherine as a fool.

This is sad to say, but I HOPE the judge DISMISSES this recent admission from her lawyers and reiterates the fact of the "No Contest" Clause so that stupid questions and crap like this cease.

The kids needs closure and need to bury their father and get on with their lives as they are trying to be normal-the Jackson family have other things tp deal with and stuff like this should be last to deal with...

WHY cant people leave what Micheal stated in his will as is? Greedy people can't let this man's fortune stand as he stated?

Posted at 3:56AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Maryl

51. @28 WTF @ that time stamp? O.o it's Sun 3:30 AM EST by my time when you posted that... >.>

Posted at 3:52AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Dirty

I'm in Australia

Posted at 4:28AM on Jul 19th 2009 by lankandiva

52. Money Grubber I agree with you...they are trying to be leeches and take Katherine as a fool.

This is sad to say, but I HOPE the judge DISMISSES this recent admission from her lawyers and reiterates the fact of the "No Contest" Clause so that stupid questions and crap like this cease.

The kids needs closure and need to bury their father and get on with their lives as they are trying to be normal-the Jackson family have other things to deal with...

WHY cant people leave what Micheal stated in his will as is? Greedy people can't let this man's fortune stand as he stated?

Posted at 3:57AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Maryl

53. Make no mistake Katherine wants to be the executor of Michaels estate because the family was suing Michael for $44 million - only 2 weeks before he died - Michael owns the house they live in - and they cannot get any money from the estate until its probated which will take quite some time - But if she was an executor she could get money for all the family to continue on being parasites on Michaels estate as they always have been - So that's why she wants to be executor -
Also make no mistake - once the autopsy results are given - Joe and Katherine will launch a lawsuit against AEG - for wrongful death and a civil suit against the doctors - they are money hungry - greedy parasites!

Posted at 4:01AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Clarity

54. Sounds like to me Katherine Jackson's Lawyers are VULTURES With $$$$$$$ signs in their eyes - the more they do the more they get to bill, and maybe they want to be the executors.

Posted at 4:57AM on Aug 1st 2009 by Linda

55. Now it is out that both Katherine and Joe beat the children. Janet better hide her 2 million , cause they are all gonna go through it , in no time. I am sure they are thinking about her age here. How many years does she have left , really? She probably won't live to see the Estate Executed. It seems they are getting desperate.
I remember watchin one interview when they wanted to give Michael his own contract and told Joe that Michael did not need his brothers anymore. Then Joe repied but his brothers need him. Really has been that way for years.

Posted at 4:16AM on Jul 19th 2009 by whatif

56. Can' Katherine see that her lawyers just want a piece of the pie...Michael gave her his kids and a good portion of the money...i am sure it it is quite enough to live her remaining years in luxury.. Why cant she just accept it witH a good attitude and leave her money-grabbing HUSBAND AND LAWYERS OUT OF IT.

Posted at 2:14PM on Jul 20th 2009 by joyce

57. Also isn't all that property the Jacksons hauled off in moving trucks supposed to go back to the Estate.
I don't recall hearing they returned anything yet.
Probably will take a court order if the lawyers care , I think there are some pretty pricey paintings and Jewelry worth alot of money- Keep an eye on Joe to see if he is wearing an new stuff.

Posted at 4:20AM on Jul 19th 2009 by whatif

58. 32 Lauren--- They are Jehova's Witness' ------ not Christians. There are HUGE differences in the 2.
Jermaine is a muslim.

Not trying to be testy just wanted to let you know.

Sadly, Greed comes to some people of all or any religion or faith, in one way or another.

Posted at 4:23AM on Jul 19th 2009 by Dixie

59. BREAKING NEWS IN AUSTRALIA-Weve just been told on the news that its MURDER,apparently the family have been informed and the arrests will be made soon..So sad my heart just boke even more-DEATH PENALTY.regardless how long you get locked up..youill get killed in jail..SUFFER assholes...rott in hell.you day has come...Love you Michael Jackson..R.I.P...Even though i suspected this news its still a shock,hearing those words...its like the day i got the msg that MJ passed..:(

Posted at 4:25AM on Jul 19th 2009 by lankandiva

60. they are charging Katherine legal fees, that's all. every minute of a lawyers time is big bux. A letter, a phone call, a motions court etc etc etc. She is being manipulated for lawyers time and then a big fat bill froma lawyer saying he couldnt help her when he convinced her to contest it yadayada Same game ,different characters ,characters with millions to sponge up, use up. SO sad. Katherine needs to avoid all lawyers or start shelling out MJ's cash them.

Posted at 4:27AM on Jul 19th 2009 by j

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