Jackson Executors Approved by Judge
It's official -- John Branca and John McClain have been named the executors of Michael Jackson's estate.
The papers were signed and stamped today.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson
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Joe Jackson's Ultimatum
Joe Jackson's lawyer just made it clear to the judge -- if Michael Jackson's dad doesn't get an allowance, he'll file a creditor's claim against his son's estate.
Brian Oxman, Joe's lawyer, just said out loud he thinks Katherine has "struck a deal with the estate" rather than staying committed to challenging the will, John Branca, and on and on. Branca's lawyer, Howard Weitzman, said there has never been a "deal" with Katherine.
Oxman said if Joe doesn't get the allowance he's after, Michael would have breached a contract he had with daddy and that's why he'd then file a creditor's claim. Oxman didn't elaborate on what kind of contract MJ made with Joe.
And then there's this. Katherine Jackson's lawyer said Katherine doesn't object to Joe getting an allowance, but was quick to add that Joe has no legal standing to appear in probate court.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's Parents at Legal War
What a turn! Katherine and Joe Jackson are fighting each other in court ... right now.
Katherine's new lawyer, Adam Streisand, is arguing to the judge that Joe has no legal standing to object to John Branca and John McClain as executors, nor does he have any standing to object to the validity of the will.
Streisand is arguing since Michael Jackson cut Joe out of the will, he has no dog in this fight.
During the fight, Billie Jean Jackson -- you know -- just stood up and said that she's an heir so she'll object ... so Joe's got that going for him.
Stay tuned...
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson -- Power to the Lawyer!
Michael Jackson's estate lawyers want the judge to lay down the law once and for all ... John Branca and John McClain have broad powers to make decisions for all things MJ.
The attorneys filed legal papers today asking the court to put in writing what the judge said earlier this month -- outlining what Branca and McClain have authority to do as Special Administrators.
The judge gave the duo broader powers than they had initially -- but lawyers for Katherine Jackson have kicked up some dust.
There's a legal showdown on Thursday at 2:30 PM PT. We'll be there.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Jackson Lawyers -- Let's Make This Clear!
We've learned ... lawyers representing Michael Jackson's estate are going to court this morning, asking the judge to streamline the administration of the estate -- specifically, clarifying they have the power to make day-to-day decisions without having to go before a judge.
Lawyers for John Branca and John McClain claim the judge has already given them broad powers to make decisions over Jackson's estate, and only the biggest ones would require them going into court. But Katherine's lawyers haven't always seen it that way, so the estate wants the judge to restate it for them.
They're at the courthouse now.
UPDATE: 1:27 PM PT The judge just put off the hearing until later this month, when he'll formally hear the case.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Paul Anka -- Michael 'Stole' from Me
It's the quickest resolution in Hollywood history: Paul Anka says the special administrators of Michael Jackson's estate gave him a 50% cut of "This Is It" ... after he said Michael "stole" the original recordings from his studio back in the 80s.
Paul also said John McClain told him, "Now we know why the song was so good ... it wasn't the type of Michael Jackson song that he could write."
Anka said he was humbled by the compliment.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
MJ Camp -- It Ain't Just Michael's Song
John Branca, the special administrator for Michael Jackson's estate tells TMZ Paul Anka is right -- "This Is It" was not written by MJ alone, it was co-written with Paul Anka.
Branca and his people are negotiating a settlement with Paul Anka's lawyer.
Branca tells TMZ, "We acknowledge that Michael and Paul wrote this song together."
As we first reported, the other special administrator, John McClain, told Anka "We'll give you whatever you want, whatever it takes we'll do the right thing."
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Katherine Jackson Can Challenge Administrators
The probate judge in the Michael Jackson estate case has ruled Katherine Jackson can challenge the special administrators and not forfeit her position as a beneficiary in Michael's will.
As a result of the ruling, Katherine can now safely challenge special administrators John Branca and John McClain without jeopardizing her position in the will -- she's set to get 40% of the net value of the estate.
The will has a "no contest" clause -- which means any beneficiary who contests the will gets aced out of inheriting anything. But the court has now ruled challenging the special administrators is not a "contest" of the will itself.
Interestingly, the court specifically ruled .... Katherine objecting to the special administrators on grounds there was some sort of "undue influence" imposed on M.J. is not a "contest" under the will.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Jackson Honchos Score $3 Mil
The special administrators of Michael Jackson's estate scored a big one -- reeling in $3 million from the company that issued a life insurance policy to M.J.
John Branca (above) and John McClain quietly cashed in the policy -- reports it was worth upwards of $20 million are simply not true. It was a $3 million payout. And here's why it was a swift move -- the coroner hasn't even released the autopsy report yet.
Some life insurance companies are hinky about paying out proceeds until the cause of death is known. Remember Heath Ledger's death, when the life insurance company wouldn't promptly fork over the $10 million because Heath allegedly lied about drug use on the application?
Somehow Branca and McClain convinced the insurance company to ante up with lightening speed -- and the estate is $3 million richer for it.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Dogfight Shaping Up in Jackson Probate
Katherine Jackson's lawyer is officially squaring off with the two men Michael Jackson selected to handle his estate, claiming the co-executors are intentionally trying to keep Jackson's mom in the dark.
Londell McMillan just issued a statement making it clear -- he wants Katherine to become a co-executor. McMillan claims the co-executors -- John Branca and John McClain -- are not letting Katherine see the agreement Jackson signed with AEG. ... which McMillan says could be a huge source of income for the estate.
McMillan claims the co-executors are imposing unreasonable demands on Katherine -- requiring her to make special promises of confidentiality for the benefit of AEG.
The co-executors have maintained all along they were the ones Michael selected to manage the estate and they are doing their job.
One thing is clear -- it's getting ugly.
UPDATE 9:43 AM ET Reps for the co-executors just issued a statement, saying the only thing the co-executors asked of Mrs. Jackson is a confidentiality agreement with respect to the AEG agreement but her lawyers refused. They also say it's apparent Katherine's lawyers want to "rewrite Michael's will to make Mrs. Jackson 'Guardian of the Estate' and have her appointed as an executor" ... the co-executors say it's just not what Michael wanted and he said so in his will.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Katherine Jackson -- I Will Be Heard!
Katherine Jackson wants "a seat at the table" in all matters involving Michael Jackson's estate.
Katherine's lawyer, Londell McMillan, tells us Katherine called him the day Michael died, asking him to come to the house. McMillan says when he showed up the first weekend, Katherine and Joe expressed "concern" over the estate and hired him to represent Katherine's legal interests.
McMillan says Katherine will not challenge the will, but as far as the executors are concerned, he says, "She deserves a seat at the table at a minimum." McMillan would not say if Katherine merely wanted to be named as a third executor or whether she wanted to challenge John Branca and John McClain, the named co-executors.
Sources connected with Katherine claim she has already asked the co-executors to allow her to participate in the decision-making and her request was "rejected."
McMillan says neither he nor Katherine are pushing for Joe to become a co-executor.
McMillan, who worked for Michael Jackson during the last 3 1/2 years of the singer's life, also has repped Katherine on various business matters related to her son.
McMillan says he's "optimistic they can work things out, but I'm prepared to go the distance if Mrs. Jackson directs to do so."
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Why is Michael's Mom Mounting Legal Challenge?
Sources 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...
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Jackson Showdown in Court Today
Today we'll know if Katherine Jackson will fight over Michael Jackson's will -- or at least we'll know if her lawyer plans a fight.
We've learned lawyers for John Branca and John McClain -- the two men named co-executors in Michael Jackson's will -- will ask the judge to put them in charge of the estate, at least until the will is formally presented in court.
But here's the wild card -- last week, before the will was filed, Katherine Jackson's lawyer, Londell McMillan, went to court and got the judge to temporarily make Katherine the administrator of the estate. That power expires today.
The question -- will McMillan object to putting Branca and McClain in control of the estate? Jermaine Jackson has said he wants everyone to respect Michael's wishes. Sources tell us Jermaine's feelings are shared by the other siblings, but McMillan may have a different agenda. We're told many members of Michael's family are upset with McMillan and believe he's grandstanding. Lawyers for the named co-executors are bracing for a fight.
Ironically, the will names Katherine the guardian of Michael's children.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson Court Hearing
UPDATE: The judge in the case has ruled Katherine will remain as temporary administrator for the rest of the week. The judge said it wasn't urgent to change things up immediately -- that the matter will be heard Monday.
There's a hearing underway over Michael Jackson's will.
Here's the problem. On Monday, Katherine's lawyers got an order from the judge making Katherine the temporary administrator of her son's estate, based on her belief that no will existed.
Now that a will has been filed, the named executors want to make sure they have control over the assets and are asking the judge to nullify Katherine's power to move assets around -- even temporarily.
We're told there isn't a conflict between Katherine and the new executors -- it's just to button things up.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Jackson's Last Will -- Diana Ross Mentioned
Michael Jackson's will has been filed with the court. Jackson asks that his mother, Katherine, be made the guardian of all three of his kids. The will says if Katherine died before him or couldn't serve as guardian, he nominated Diana Ross.
And there's a petition filed along with the will, saying Jackson's estate is worth more than $500,000,000. The petition says almost all of the estate "consists of non-cash, non-liquid assets, including primarily an interest in a catalog of music royalty rights which is currently being administered by Sony/ATV, and interests in various entities."
As we first reported, the will leaves everything to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, stating, "I give my entire estate to the Trustee or Trustees..."
The will has been misinterpreted in reports -- suggesting that Debbie Rowe was intentionally excluded. Jackson has even excluded his own children from getting property under the will. But all that means is that the trust he created will control the distribution of property.
The will declares that Jackson is not married.
The will names John Branca, John McClain and Barry Siegel as co-Executors. Branca was Jackson's lawyer, McClain is a music exec and Siegel was Jackson's accountant. But Siegel resigned from his role as executor in 2003.
Branca and McClain just released the following statement: "The most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children."
Filed under: Michael Jackson
