Jackson Family

Katherine Jackson had a bizarre, alarming meeting last weekend with a family member, who left feeling like the beloved matriarch is living a nomadic life.

Multiple Jackson family sources tell TMZ, Katherine finally came face-to-face with grandson TJ Jackson, who also serves with her as co-guardian of Michael's 3 kids. They didn't meet at Katherine's Calabasas family home -- a place in which she hasn't stepped foot since January -- nor did they meet at the home of Rebbie Jackson, where's she's been staying for months. TJ was told to meet her at a random hotel.

Mind you ... we're told TJ and other family members believe some of Katherine's kids have been holding her at bay from her own grandkids so they can gain control over the MJ estate.

Our sources say Katherine mentioned she was not moving back to her Calabasas home but may buy another house. It's odd an 87-year-old would start buying new homes, which has raised concern among some family members that someone's pulling her strings.

Other sources tell us ... there's no way Katherine could buy a home, because she doesn't have the cash. She gets a monthly stipend of $67k from the estate, but she doles most of it out to her kids.

We're told Katherine still hasn't seen the grandchildren she loves since January.

Katherine Jackson pays tens of thousands of dollars each month to cover her kids' expenses, so she shouldn't have a problem paying her nephew Trent's legal fees ... according to him.

Trent Jackson wants Katherine to cover the expenses he incurred while defending himself against her claims of elder abuse. In new legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- he says Katherine told him she receives a $67,000 monthly stipend from Michael Jackson's estate, which she doles out to some of her kids to support them and their families.

In the docs, Trent says Katherine told him she gave $12,000/month to Jermaine Jackson ... $7,000/mo. to Rebbie Jackson ... $30,000/mo. to La Toya Jackson ... and $9,850/mo. toward a rental in Calabasas where Jermaine and Randy Jackson's kids stay.

That adds up to $58,850 ... almost all of her stipend.

Janet Jackson took a break from baby duty to treat one of her older brothers to a Bruno Mars concert.

Janet and Randy Jackson were spotted at the show earlier this week in Birmingham, England. Janet tried to keep a low profile with a ball cap pulled down low -- of course, the giant bodyguard standing over her was a little conspicuous.

One concertgoer said Janet wasn't dancing around much, but still seemed to be enjoying the music.

It's interesting, because her life is kinda drama-filled right now: divorcing Wissam Al Mana, raising 3-month-old Eissa, not to mention her mother Katherine Jackson's recent legal ordeal.

Katherine Jackson just got shot down by a judge in her bid to get a restraining order against nephew Trent Jackson on grounds he abused her and stole from her.

The judge just booted the case after Katherine's lawyers essentially threw themselves at the mercy of the court, claiming their client was unprepared to go forward. The lawyers asked the judge if the case could be dismissed "without prejudice," meaning it could be refiled. The lawyers also said Katherine never realized this would turn into a full-blown trial.

The judge said today was judgment day, and if she wasn't ready it's case closed forever.

What's interesting ... Katherine has been MIA from almost everyone -- she hasn't even seen her grandchildren since January and she's the one with legal guardianship.

Trent and other members of the family believe Katherine is being manipulated by some of Michael's brothers and sisters so they could gain some control over the MJ Estate.

Paris Jackson's putting in some serious work on her acting career, and she's getting to do it her way ... punk rock chick all day!

MJ's daughter was shooting Monday in the San Fernando Valley, and sporting a look she's been rolling with for a while now. Edgy just fits the 19-year-old model and actress.

Unclear what she was shooting Monday, but last week Paris was working on Lee Daniels' "Star" alongside "Stranger Things" star Millie Bobby Brown.

Paris Jackson took matters into her own hands ... breaking bread with little bro Blanket as grandma Katherine remains MIA.

TMZ broke the story, Paris has been upset that Blanket is without his grandmother, and she doesn't think this is Katherine's doing. The 86-year-old matriarch has not spoken to Paris, Blanket or Prince since January, when she left for London. Since returning, she has been absent from the family house in Calabasas and has been staying with her daughter, Rebbie.

Paris and Blanket were joined by TJ Jackson, who's been staying with 15-year-old Blanket at the house. TJ, a co-guardian with Katherine, also hasn't heard from her since January.

Janet Jackson's separation from Wissam Al Mana dovetailed almost perfectly with Katherine Jackson's extended trip to London ... and it looks a lot less like she went because she was afraid of her nephew.

Janet's baby was born January 3, and Katherine left L.A. 3 weeks later for London. Based on what we're told she got on a plane on the heels of Janet's separation.

Our sources say Janet put Katherine up in a London hotel and footed the bill. Katherine stayed in London for 2 months, returning to L.A. March 30 under the watchful eye of daughter Rebbie, who was also in London with her for a time during Katherine's visit.

Sources connected with some of Katherine's children claim Katherine went to London because she feared her nephew, Trent, who's now in the middle of a nasty legal/family fight in which there are allegations he stole from Katherine and abused her ... something he strongly denies.

Sources connected with Trent believe Katherine wasn't even aware allegations were being made against Trent, and she was distracted by the baby and Janet's separation. They say the only reason she returned was because the handwriting was on the wall and the judge was about to throw out the case against Trent unless she returned. The sources say Jermaine and others realized she needed to come back.

Katherine has not returned to her Calabasas home ... she's been staying with Rebbie. As far as we know, Katherine has not seen Michael Jackson's kids since returning, despite being their legal guardian. Sources on Trent's side believe certain family members don't want the grandkids to get in Katherine's ear.

Paris Jackson's birthday looked like a typical teen's Monday -- eating Mickey D's, smoking cigs, hanging with friends -- which is a full 180 from when she was a kid.

She celebrated 19 by chillin' outside a friend's apartment ... possibly the most casual party ever for Hollywood royalty.

Can't blame Paris though for toning things down. Her childhood was nothing short of a media circus ... hidden behind veils, paparazzi and bodyguards at every turn.

She's earned some normalcy. Happy 19th, PJ!

Michael Jackson's sons, Prince and Blanket, got together with a few cousins for dinner in Bev Hills ... where Grandma Katherine had to be the hot topic.

Tito's son TJ Jackson, who's been legal guardian of MJ's kid, was at Honor Bar Saturday evening with the group -- and we know he's smack in the middle of Katherine's battle with Trent Jackson.

TMZ broke the story ... Trent's lawyers want TJ to sit down with Katherine and mediate her elder abuse claims against Trent. That could be difficult for TJ right now, because Katherine's been kept in hiding -- away from Michael's kids -- since she flew back to L.A. last week.

Paris was not at the Saturday dinner because she attended the GLAAD Awards, but this was our first glimpse at Prince's awesome MJ tattoo in public.

Paris Jackson spent some time with Caitlyn Jenner on the heels of starting a friendship with one of Caitlyn's daughters.

Paris attended the GLAAD Media Awards Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton, and ran into Caitlyn. Just last week, Paris was spotted shopping in L.A. with Kendall -- which makes sense since PJ is breaking into the modeling biz. Little professional advice.

Katherine Jackson has been stashed away from her grandchildren since returning to Los Angeles ... out of fear they'll reprogram grandma and derail her legal battle with Trent Jackson.

Sources connected to the family tell us Michael's children -- Paris, Prince and Blanket -- didn't even know Katherine was coming back and as of Friday, had not seen her. Remember, she flew back from London Wednesday night, and her daughter Rebbie desperately tried to block our camera at LAX.

Other family sources say rather than taking the matriarch to her own home, she was secretly taken to one of her children's homes -- and it has everything to do with the elder abuse lawsuit.

Remember, the main reason Katherine even came back is to testify against her nephew, Trent. He's made it clear he believes Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson are masterminding the whole case in an effort to gain control of Katherine's money.

We're told Trent's camp thinks Katherine's kids are worried Paris and Prince will encourage grandma to drop the lawsuit. You'll recall ... Paris went off on Jermaine and other siblings in 2012 when Katherine was taken to Arizona for nearly 2 weeks. She equated it to a kidnapping.

Our sources point out the fact Katherine still hasn't seen her beloved grandchildren -- after being gone for 2 months -- is a strong sign someone doesn't want a repeat of 2012.

Katherine Jackson is back in Los Angeles, and one of the kids Trent believes is masterminding the court case against him almost gymnastically shielded her from questions about the family war.

TMZ broke the story ... Katherine headed back to L.A. from London after a judge essentially ruled her case against Trent couldn't go forward without her present in court.

Katherine's daughter, Rebbie, blocked our photog who was asking about Katherine's allegations that Trent stole from her and abused her ... something he denies.

Trent believes Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson are manipulating Katherine into going against Trent, although the endgame isn't clear.

We're told Trent is willing to walk away from the whole thing, so it's unclear why the case is pressing forward.

Katherine Jackson hopped a flight from London to L.A. to make sure she's in court for her elder abuse case against Trent Jackson ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the Jacksons tell us Katherine jetted back because the judge has said her lawsuit against Trent -- her nephew and longtime caretaker -- would be thrown out of court if she wasn't present to testify. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

We're told Trent believes Katherine jetted back, ending her nearly 2 month stay with Janet Jackson, because Jermaine Jackson and other siblings are in her ear ... pumping her up to go full bore against Trent in court.

However, sources connected to Trent tell us he's ready and willing to walk away, literally, if that's what Katherine wants -- even though he's done nothing but care for her for years. That's the odd twist.

If he's prepared to wave the white flag, why go to war in court? We're told Trent thinks some of Katherine's children are pushing her to go forward because they believe it will help them gain control of the estate.

Katherine Jackson -- or someone claiming to be Katherine Jackson -- has doubled down in the family war, claiming again Michael's cousin, Trent, has been stealing from and bullying the matriarch.

Katherine has been MIA for months after allegedly leveling claims Trent has pilfered $40k out of her bank account and manipulated her into buying him a Cadillac. She's also claimed elder abuse.

Trent has said it's all BS ... that Katherine isn't really driving this, but rather it's Jermaine and some of her other kids in order to get control of MJ's Estate.

In the new declaration -- obtained by TMZ -- Katherine says she's in London because she's scared to come home for fear Trent will now seek revenge on her. She says she's now filled with stress and anxiety, and she's now taking new meds to cope.

Katherine also says she's had meeting with social workers from Adult Protective Services and they will vouch for the authenticity of her claims.

Katherine Jackson's fate and fortune may lie in the hands of one of her grandsons ... TMZ has learned.

Trent Jackson, Michael's cousin, and his attorney Ron Rale want TJ Jackson, Michael's nephew, to sit down with Katherine alone and decide who's the victim and who's the villain in what has become a family war.

TMZ broke the story ... Katherine has filed a legal doc claiming Trent has committed elder abuse against her and fleeced her to boot. But, we've now learned Trent and his lawyer have a plan to put the dispute to bed and, at the same time, cast suspicion on the motive of other Jackson relatives.

Rale's proposing that TJ -- the one person whose family loyalty has never been challenged -- sit down with Katherine to discuss the situation at hand. If at the end of the sit-down TJ believes Trent has done harm to Michael's mom, he'll leave for good and if Katherine wants him to stay, he will.

Trent, we're told, believes TJ's one-on-one with Katherine will not only absolve him of any wrongdoing, in the process he will cast doubt on the motives of other family members ... family members he believes are trying to get him out of the way so they have a clear path to the matriarch's bank account.

Trent and Rale are suspicious of other family members ... especially after a 2012 incident in which Trent and Michael's kids reported Katherine missing, only to learn some of her kids had taken her to Arizona. They essentially called it a kidnapping, saying some family members were trying to brainwash her into challenging Michael's Estate in a money grab.

Katherine Jackson is in the middle of a brewing family war, but Jermaine Jackson says he's only getting involved out of concern for his mother's health.

We got Jermaine leaving a hearing in L.A. Wednesday for Katherine's elderly abuse case. As we reported, the Jackson matriarch is accusing her nephew, Trent Lamar Jackson, of being an "abusive con-man."

Jermaine told us he's siding with Mom over his cousin, but not for any financial windfall ... as Trent has claimed.

Katherine wasn't in court, and ultimately the hearing was postponed because of that. Trent's attorney says he's served a notice have Katherine deposed on March 15, but her attorney says she won't show for that either.