All posts containing the tag: "probate"
Posted Nov 17th 2009 3:01PM by TMZ Staff
Katherine Jackson's lawyer, Adam Streisand, has really come out swinging today. He's scoffing at Joe Jackson's lawyer, Brian Oxman, who filed legal papers last week attempting to get back into court to challenge Michael Jackson's will. Streisand says, "It was a first round knockout and there's no getting up from it."
Oxman claimed the will was a forgery and the executors were unfit. The judge in the estate case begged to differ so Oxman is going to the Court of Appeal. To that, Streisand says, "Oxman is going to need more than smelling salts and a new panel of judges to resuscitate his client's surprise attack."
Here's his best line: "As far as I've been told, '2012' is just a fantasy."
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: adam streisand, AdamStreisand, brian oxman, BrianOxman, forgery, joe jackson, JoeJackson, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate, will
Posted Oct 15th 2009 1:15PM by TMZ Staff
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
Tags: estate, john branca, john mcclain, JohnBranca, JohnMcclain, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate, special administrators, SpecialAdministrators
Posted Oct 2nd 2009 1:38PM by TMZ Staff
Joe Jackson just arrived at the L.A. County Courthouse in the Michael Jackson probate case.
As we first reported, we expect some family members along with attorney Brian Oxman and possibly Katherine Jackson's lawyers, to challenge John Branca as the named co-executor in Jackson's will. We're told they have a document showing Jackson fired Branca. It's true, Jackson fired the lawyer several times over 29 years, but Jackson rehired Branca a week before his death.
The judge will be all ears at 1:30 PM PT when the parties discuss how well Jackson's 3 kids are doing with the guardianship.
By the way, when asked about Branca, Joe said, "Mr. Who?"
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: brian oxman, BrianOxman, estate, Joe Jackson, JoeJackson, john branca, JohnBranca, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate, will
Posted Sep 24th 2009 2:30PM by TMZ Staff
The creditor's claims against Michael Jackson ... rolling, rolling in.
A security firm has filed legal papers in the probate case, claiming Jackson owed Steven Echols DBA Security Measures $261,169.
The firm is based in Las Vegas. According to the legal docs, the firm supplied 3 guards to Jackson in 2008 24/7 at $25 an hour.
The papers say in September, 2008 Jackson racked $119,000 in security costs. In October the bill was $99,000.
The docs say the firm provided protection for Jackson and his kids.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: creditor, creditors claim, CreditorsClaim, estate, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate, security measures, SecurityMeasures
Posted Sep 18th 2009 2:56PM by TMZ Staff
The creditors keep rolling in. There's a new claim against Michael Jackson's estate for $212,000.
Lynda Parrish claims she worked for Jackson and, apparently, others in his entourage.
Parrish is a hair stylist who is asking for $1,500 a day when she worked for Michael and $1,000 a day when she worked for others.
That's a lot of hair.
UPDATE: We spoke to Lynda, who says she was Michael's personal hair stylist -- and would get flown out to see him whenever he needed something. She charged $1,500 for cutting his hair ... then $1,000 on top of it because of the business she lost by flying out to see Michael.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Tags: claim, estate, hair stylist, HairStylist, lynda parrish, LyndaParrish, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate
Posted Sep 17th 2009 5:28PM by TMZ Staff
We've learned lawyers for Michael Jackson's estate went to court today and the probate judge gave permission for them to strike a deal with Sony Music for the production and distribution of a soundtrack album in connection with the "This is It" film release.
Sources say Sony and the estate have reached an agreement.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: film, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate, sony, soundtrack, this is it, ThisIsIt
Posted Sep 17th 2009 5:20PM by TMZ Staff
Lawyers for Michael Jackson's estate have asked the probate judge to give them the green light so they can settle a music lawsuit filed against the singer.
The suit was filed in federal court in Northern Illinois by Syl Johnson. Johnson claims Jackson and 11 other defendants unlawfully reproduced one of his recordings.
We've learned Jackson and the other defendants have settled for a total of $150,000 and Jackson will kick in his share -- $12,500 -- upon approval by the probate court.
The other defendants include Dr. Dre, Will Smith and the estate of Tupac Shakur.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: estate, lawsuit, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate
Posted Sep 14th 2009 6:55AM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's publishing catalog will not be sold to pump up the assets in the estate, according to sources familiar with the probate.
We're told several family members are questioning why the estate appears, as one put it, "in the red." Sources knowledgeable with the estate acknowledge a "huge amount of debt" as creditors claims continue to come in.
But, we're told, in the end, if all the assets were sold the estate would definitely be flush with cash. HOWEVER, sources say the publishing catalog -- notably the Beatles' songs -- will not go on the auction block. Sources say it's an asset that is worth way more to Jackson's kids in the long run than the cash it would generate now.
The honchos in the estate, we're told, are confident it will be fueled by an influx of cash over the next year or two -- the amount of time it will take to wrap probate up.
Until probate ends, family members will have to make due with their allowances.
Filed under: Music, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: allowance, beatles, beatles songs, BeatlesSongs, kids, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate, publishing rights, PublishingRights, songs
Posted Sep 1st 2009 10:10PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned Katherine Jackson has filed legal papers asking the judge in the Jackson probate case to have the estate pay for the burial.
Informed sources tell us lawyers for the estate will neither support nor oppose the motion -- but rather they will leave it to the judge.
A hearing is set for tomorrow at 9:30 AM PST.
The burial is set for Thursday.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: burial, court, dead, death, died, homicide, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, michael jackson, michael jackson estate, MichaelJackson, MichaelJacksonEstate, probate
Posted Aug 10th 2009 3:55PM by TMZ Staff
The Heal the World Foundation has filed court documents asking for the right to use the Michael Jackson trademark.
The Foundation -- founded by Jackson in the 90's -- has raised millions of dollars for relief efforts around the world.
The Foundation wants to use the Jackson trademark to market products.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: heal the world foundation, HealTheWorldFoundation, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate
Posted Jul 29th 2009 9:21AM by TMZ Staff
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
Tags: john branca, john mcclain, JohnBranca, JohnMcclain, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, MichaelJackson, probate, will
Posted Jul 24th 2009 5:50PM by TMZ Staff
We've now obtained documents filed yesterday in the Michael Jackson probate case.
The Special Administrators have recovered $5.5 million in cash from a former financial advisor. The documents do not name the advisor.
In the documents, the administrators predict Jackson has enough cash to pay off his estimated $400 million in debts -- and still have money left over for his heirs.
The docs also say Jackson's children are the beneficiaries of an insurance trust established by Michael Jackson. The proceeds have not yet been collected, which explains why lawyers for Katherine Jackson have asked for a temporary allowance.
The Special Administrators expect to generate tens of millions of dollars of revenue from various business deals that are now in the works.
Story developing ...
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Tags: allowance, children, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, money, probate, special administrator, SpecialAdministrator
Posted Jul 23rd 2009 1:30PM by TMZ Staff
Lawyers for Michael Jackson's estate, along with Katherine Jackson's lawyer, went to court this morning, seeking temporary financial allowances -- and Katherine claims she needs the money to live.
The matter was put off until August 3, when lawyers will all appear in court.
UPDATE: 2:29 PM PT: Lawyers for the estate wrote in a written declaration, "We are informed that Mrs. Jackson was also financially dependent upon Michael Jackson and that other than extremely modest social security benefits, Mrs. Jackson has no independent means of support."
The declaration continues: "Michael Jackson died 4 weeks ago. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the Special Administrators to be authorized to pay family allowance for the benefits of Minor Children in order to ensure that the Minor Children's needs for maintenance and support are met."
The document also says other than social security benefits which the kids have not yet received, they are totally dependent on the estate for their care and support.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Tags: allowance, hearing, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, money, probate
Posted Jul 22nd 2009 5:26PM by TMZ Staff
AEG has filed legal papers asking for a heads up on all matters relating to the probate of Michael Jackson's estate.
The papers entitle AEG to receive all legal papers, including notices of court hearings, connected to the probate.
It's unclear if AEG is teeing up a financial claim against the estate.
An AEG rep says they have an interest in the probating of Jackson's will because "a vast majority" of the money the company will generate will go into the estate.
Stay tuned...
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Tags: aeg, claim, death, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, money, probate
Posted Jul 19th 2009 10:10AM by TMZ Staff
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
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
