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."
Michael Jackson's Will
We now know what's in Michael Jackson's will -- for starters, he never said where he wanted to be buried.
We've learned the will -- which will be filed today -- is 5 pages long. As for who gets what -- Jackson's entire estate goes to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. The trust documents are not included in the will and the contents of the trust remain confidential.
We're told the trust provides for Michael's children and mother, and distributes money to several charities.
See Also
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 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."
Michael Jackson's Will
We now know what's in Michael Jackson's will -- for starters, he never said where he wanted to be buried.
We've learned the will -- which will be filed today -- is 5 pages long. As for who gets what -- Jackson's entire estate goes to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. The trust documents are not included in the will and the contents of the trust remain confidential.
We're told the trust provides for Michael's children and mother, and distributes money to several charities.
Michael's Will -- Katherine Should Get Custody
There are reports that Michael Jackson's will says the singer wanted his mom, Katherine, to get custody and wanted assets to be placed in trust.
The will, according to the AP, lists Jackson's lawyer, John Branca, and John McClain, a music exec, as executors.
The will has not been filed with the court.
As for custody -- the will does matter, but ultimately the decision on who gets custody is in the hands of the judge.
Jackson's Dad Aced Out of Will
Michael Jackson signed a will in 2002 providing for his children and his mom, but leaving nothing to daddy Joe -- this according to the Wall Street Journal.
As we reported yesterday, attorney John Branca has the will and plans to file it with the court within 30 days of the singer's death. According to the will, Jackson reportedly left his estate -- estimated at $1 billion -- to his mother, three children and one or more charities.
As for why Joe was left out -- Jackson has said during his childhood his father beat him.
Michael Jackson's Estate in Court
Initial papers have been filed with the court to probate Michael Jackson's estate. But it seems Jackson's mom and dad don't know Jackson had a will.
The petition was filed by Michael's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. But here's the thing. The papers say Jackson died "intestate" -- that means, without a will.
But we've learned Jackson's long-time lawyer, John Branca, who just came back on board 3 weeks ago, has a will Jackson signed that he intends to file within 30 days.
The petition asks that Katherine be named as administrator of the will ... meaning she wants to call the shots.
The papers say Debbie Rowe will be served with notice of a hearing.
Inside Neverland Ranch
As concrete trucks and porta-pottys arrive, check out these pics of the current barren state of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
Dangerous Drug Found in Jackson Home
Sources tell TMZ an extremely dangerous and potent drug used for surgical anesthesia was found at Michael Jackson's house after he died ... and this may well be the drug that killed him.
We're told the drug Propofol was discovered at the residence. The drug is used to put people under anesthesia before surgery. It is an extremely powerful drug that is only available to medical personnel. As one source said, "There is no conceivable way this drug can be properly prescribed for home use."
The drug can only be administered with an IV. Interestingly, Propofol burns and the drug Lidocaine is used to reduce the pain associated with the Propofol injection. As we first reported, Lidocaine was found near Jackson's body.
One of the major side-effects of Propofol is cardiac arrest if it's taken in combination with narcotic painkillers, however, Propofol is so powerful it can stop someone's heart on its own.
A registered nurse has come out and said Jackson begged her for the drug Diprivan -- the brand name for Propofol. She says he needed it for insomnia but she declined to supply it.
Sources say the drug is so inappropriate and reckless for home use, if a doctor facilitated it for Jackson and it caused his death, he or she could be prosecuted for manslaughter.
Delivery Man: I Took Rx Drugs to Jackson Home
Photogs tracked down a guy from Mickey Fine pharmacy -- the pharmacy that sued MJ in 2007 over a $100,000 bill -- who says he made deliveries to the Jackson family's Encino home, where Michael frequently visited.
The guy said he didn't know if the deliveries went to Michael because different names were often used on the packages.
See Also
Jackson Doc Surfaces
This is Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's longtime dermatologist and friend, returning home from his office last night.
As we first reported, the LAPD wants to talk to Klein about his prescribing practices.
In 1993, Klein's office was searched in connection with the first Michael Jackson child molestation investigation. The LAPD seized medical files. Nothing came of it -- no charges were ever filed in the case.
There are reports Klein is the biological father of Jackson's kids.
MJ's Former Nanny: I Never Pumped His Stomach
The nanny who cared for Michael Jackson's three kids says reports that she pumped Jackson's stomach several times are bogus.
Grace Rwaramba responded to the rumors through a posting on the website of her close friend, Mallika Chopra -- the daughter of Jackson confidant Deepak Chopra.
"I am shocked, hurt and deeply saddened by recent statements the press has attributed to me, in particular, the outrageous and patently false claim that I 'routinely pumped his stomach after he had ingested a dangerous combination of drugs.' I don't even know how to pump a stomach!!"
See Also
Jackson Burial -- Cart Before the Horse?
A white carriage hearse was spotted on the 405 Freeway -- making its way North yesterday -- toward Santa Barbara -- adding fuel to the rumors that Michael Jackson will be taken to Neverland for his final resting place.
We've already told you about the hotels that have sold out ... construction trucks and porta-pottys near the Ranch. But we're hearing nothing about the funeral has even been decided by the family.
The buzz is that Jackson's body will be taken to Neverland tomorrow, but so far we're told nothing has been decided.
Jackson's Death Sparks Hotel Frenzy
The list of people who stand to make a profit off the death of Michael Jackson is endless -- and now you can add a few local hotels to the mix.
We spoke with the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos, Calif. -- which is located less than a mile from Neverland Ranch. They tell us that once news hit Jackson's body might be coming to Neverland, they sold out in just 20 minutes! They are booked up solid from Thursday until Saturday.
We talked to two other hotels nearby and they say the same thing -- sold out.
Nurse: I Warned Jackson of Drug Risks
Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who Michael Jackson allegedly begged to supply him with the dangerous drug Diprivan, was on "Good Morning America" -- saying she warned him about the medicine, telling him "you might not wake up the next morning."
As TMZ first reported, Propofol -- the generic name for Diprivan -- was found in Jackson's house after he died.
See Also
Neverland Ranch -- Where's the Potty At?
In preparation of Michael Jackson's body returning to Neverland Ranch for a public viewing this Friday or Saturday, a truck full of porta-pottys dropped off its first load late Tuesday night.
Jackson's body is set to be transported to the Santa Barbara estate early tomorrow morning.
See Also
Michael Jackson Will -- Filed Tomorrow
Sources tell us Michael Jackson's will is going to be filed tomorrow in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
See Also
Michael's Will -- Katherine Should Get Custody
There are reports that Michael Jackson's will says the singer wanted his mom, Katherine, to get custody and wanted assets to be placed in trust.
The will, according to the AP, lists Jackson's lawyer, John Branca, and John McClain, a music exec, as executors.
The will has not been filed with the court.
As for custody -- the will does matter, but ultimately the decision on who gets custody is in the hands of the judge.
Birth Certificates for Jackson's First 2 Kids
We've just obtained the birth certificates for Michael Jackson's first two kids -- Michael Jr. and Paris.
In both certificates, the father is listed as Michael Jackson. The mother listed is Deborah Rowe. The place of birth for Michael Jr. is Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. The place of birth for Paris is listed as Spaulding Pain Medical Center in Beverly Hills.
Concrete Evidence Found at Neverland
A shipment of concrete was just delivered to the Neverland Ranch.
We saw the concrete truck drive onto the property. A rep from the construction company told us they got a call today for 32,000 pounds of the hard stuff -- for what, we're not sure ... but it's certainly interesting ...
See Also
Neverland Reps: Watch Out, Santa Barbara
The part owners of Neverland Ranch have released a letter to the residents of Santa Barbara, warning of the impending madness that will engulf the county if a public viewing of MJ's body occurs later this week.
The letter -- sent by a rep for Colony Capital, LLC -- calls Neverland a "temporary sanctuary" for Michael Jackson fans who "will come, with or without permission or an invitation."
The doc also addresses Neverland's dark past by saying, "As we all know, the impressions left by Michael's last interaction with Santa Barbara County were not positive." But it goes on to say, "Michael was accused, tried and acquitted in our county and found innocent on all counts."