TJ Jackson cannot continue to serve as a surrogate parent to Michael Jackson's 3 kids without getting some compensation, so the Executors of MJ's Estate are asking the judge to give TJ a reasonable amount of money to keep the ship afloat.

The Executors filed legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- in which they say TJ has been extremely devoted to Paris, Prince and Blanket since MJ's death.  TJ -- who is now a co-guardian along with Katherine Jackson -- spends 40 hours a week caring for the 3 kids. 

The Executors say it's been a hardship for TJ -- who is married with 3 kids of his own.  Although he's been a co-guardian since July, he hasn't received a single penny for his services.

The Executors are asking the judge to allow them to pay TJ $9,000 a month, retroactive to July.  They add, the way it's going now, TJ may not be able to continue, so compensation is essential.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to us.

TJ Jackson is now PERMANENTLY sharing guardianship of Michael Jackson's children with their grandmother Katherine Jackson, an L.A. judge just ruled.

As we previously reported, TJ was awarded temporary co-guardianship of Prince, Paris, and Blanket along with Katherine ... but that was made permanent today.

TJ has received enormous support from the Jackson family to take a guardianship role, including from Katherine herself ... as well as MJ's kids. TJ has been a father figure to the children for years.

The judge told TJ in court to be mindful of the giant rift currently tearing apart the Jackson family -- and asked TJ to make sure the children aren't negatively affected.

As co-guardian, TJ will assume many of the day-to-day tasks involved in taking care of the children -- including management of household personnel and security.

As if the past couple of weeks haven't been enough of a rollercoaster ride, Michael Jackson's kids hit up Six Flags Magic Mountain this weekend with one of their newly appointed co-guardians.

No, it wasn't 82-year-old Katherine Jackson. This time, TJ got the nod.

Paris, Blanket and a sleeveless Prince spent their Saturday with the fun co-guardian -- hittin' up all the crazy rides at the theme park ... including "Revolution" ... the first rollercoaster ever built with a loop.

The Jacksons love suspense.

Katherine Jackson is back in as permanent guardian of Michael Jackson's three children, and her grandson TJ Jackson will share responsibilities as co-guardian ... according to a new court ruling.

TMZ broke the story ... Katherine had a change of heart last week, agreeing to split guardianship responsibilities with TJ -- despite previously claiming she was "devastated" by TJ taking on a guardianship role.

In a hearing this morning, the judge reinstated Katherine's guardianship rights ... and made TJ co-guardian, but only temporarily until an Aug. 22nd hearing. At that time the judge will consider making the split guardianship of Prince, Paris and Blanket permanent.

During the hearing, a court appointed investigator said Katherine has been doing a "terrific job as guardian and the children love her." He added, "They also have a close relationship with their cousin, TJ Jackson."

The investigator also said Katherine and TJ have been working well together to care for the children ever since Michael Jackson's death.

Katherine Jackson says she's had a change of heart ... and is now ready to SPLIT guardianship of MJ's 3 children with her grandson TJ.

Katherine's attorney, Perry Sanders, tells TMZ ... TJ and Katherine  will file a request for JOINT GUARDIANSHIP with the court early next week ... and they expect it will be approved.

Perry tells us, "That pleading will essentially now legally reflect how Mrs. Jackson and TJ have often shared  responsibilities of raising the children since Michael Jackson's tragic passing."

Katherine's lawyer says the new arrangement "reflected the wishes of [Michael Jackson's] children" ... Paris, Prince and Blanket.

If the court grants the joint request, Katherine's lawyer says TJ will be able to assume a lot of the day-to-day responsibilities that have been stressing Katherine out ... including management of household personnel and security.

"It will also make clear for school personnel and anyone else coming into contact with the children that TJ is authorized to act on their behalf," Perry tells TMZ.

"Mrs. Jackson will then be freed up to focus on the more personal everyday decision making related to the lives and activities of the children."

Katherine's lawyer says the agreement would still empower Katherine to CONTROL THE FAMILY'S ALLOWANCE ... which is $70k per month.

The arrangement also seems to make TJ a shoo-in to become the SOLE guardian of the children if Katherine dies while they are still minors.

Katherine's lawyer concludes, "Mrs. Jackson is extremely pleased with the prospect of enjoying the pleasure of raising Michael's children without the day-to-day tedium of items such as managing the large staff that goes with such a high profile family and focus her attention on being a grandmother and raising Michael's children."

Perry tells us ... TJ will file a petition to become the sole permanent guardian later today ... but that's just a formality because of a court imposed deadline. The joint petition will TRUMP that filing.


10:50AM PT  TJ just filed his petition for permanent guardianship ... and TMZ obtained a copy.

Katherine Jackson SUPPORTED TJ Jackson's efforts to obtain temporary guardianship of Michael Jackson's 3 children ... so says TJ in court docs obtained by TMZ.

TJ filed the docs with the court before today's hearing -- and in the papers, TJ claims Katherine was being manipulated by family members who were hellbent on controlling Katherine.

In fact, TJ claims one of his aunts -- either Janet or Rebbie -- arranged for a person to IMPERSONATE A DOCTOR to convince Katherine to blow off a concert series and instead fly with her conspiratorial children to Arizona.

TJ claims he had been assisting with the care of MJ's children since MJ died ... and even before Katherine disappeared, she placed them in his care.

According to the docs, TJ claims he finally spoke with Katherine on July 24 -- and during the conversation, she "indicated to me that she supported me in taking steps that I deemed appropriate to protect [MJ's children]."

TJ was eventually awarded temporary guardianship over Paris, Prince and Blanket.

After the hearing, Katherine contradicted TJ's story ... insisting she was "devastated" by the court's decision.

A judge just appointed TJ the temporary guardian of Michael Jackson's three kids and suspended Katherine Jackson's guardianship.


There's a reason TJ Jackson had a lawyer prepare legal papers to make him the temporary guardian of Michael Jackson's kids -- he has already partially assumed that role ... and he even has the Kim Kardashian stamp of approval.

TMZ broke the story ... TJ became alarmed when Katherine Jackson -- the current legal guardian -- disappeared for more than a week. 

Jackson sources tell us ... TJ -- the 34-year-old married son of Tito -- has had a strong connection to Paris, Prince and Blanket for years, but was especially comforting after MJ died.

One example ... at the Michael Jackson tribute show in Wales, Katherine was by herself in a private area, far from the kids.  TJ was in full dad mode, helping Blanket tie his shoes, helping Prince tie his tie.  He made sure the kids were fed during the concert, which lasted for hours.

Kim Kardashian, who dated TJ for 4 years, tells friends, of all the Jacksons ... TJ was the closest to Michael and his kids.  She says TJ had a "father-like" relationship with Michael's kids, adding, "He's a very honest and trustworthy person and everyone knows he'll do the right thing."

Paris, Prince and Blanket adore TJ and are behind the temp guardianship move, and that's something that will weigh heavily with the probate judge.
 
We're told TJ is in wait mode -- to see what happens with Katherine.  But the papers are drafted and he's ready to make his move in court.

Lawyers for TJ Jackson are at an L.A. courthouse right now in an attempt to get temporary guardianship of Michael Jackson's three kids ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... TJ -- Tito's 34-year-old married son -- has been acting like a quasi-parent to Paris, Prince, and Blanket.

TJ is basing his bid on the fact that Katherine Jackson has been MIA and not providing proper supervision of the kids.

As we reported, Michael's three kids all love TJ and want him to become their temporary guardian.

In addition, lawyers for the Michael Jackson estate are in court and will support TJ's bid to become temporary guardian.

We're told Katherine's lawyers will also be appearing in court to provide specific never-before-heard details about Katherine's disappearance ... details that will affect TJ's bid for guardianship.


9:35 AM PT -- TJ has just arrived at the courthouse along with an army of lawyers -- his lawyer, the kids' lawyer, lawyers for the MJ estate, and lawyers for Katherine. Talk about one expensive hearing.

Tito Joe Jackson, aka TJ, the 34-year-old son of Michael Jackson's brother Tito, is having his lawyer draft legal docs in a bid to become temporary guardian of MJ's 3 kids ... TMZ has learned.

People familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Paris, Prince and Blanket all want TJ to be their guardian because they believe Katherine -- their current guardian -- has effectively been kidnapped by MJ's siblings.  The kids haven't seen Katherine in 9 days.

Under California law, a judge would not grant a temporary guardian for teenagers unless the kids were on board with the selection, and we're told all 3 kids are down with it.  We're told TJ has often acted like a parent to the kids and they love him.

As we first reported ... the Michael Jackson Estate is standing by and will support TJ's bid to become the temporary guardian if asked by the Probate judge.

Just 15 hours ago, TJ tweeted to Paris, "I know it's completely unfair for them to do this to you and your brothers. We will keep trying. I love you."

By the way, TJ is married with kids and is in a band with his 2 brothers.  And get this ... he was Kim Kardashian's first love.  Check out what looks like their prom pic.


One final point ... sources connected to MJ's siblings tell TMZ Michael's brothers and sisters are turning on each other.  One brother has secretly been telling people he does not support what the others are doing to Katherine.