The executors of Michael Jackson's will have officially been granted control of the late singer's assets. A judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that John Branca and John McClain — two of Jackson's close associates — would be appointed administrators until an additional hearing on Aug. 3. Jackson's mother, Katherine, had been in control of the singer's estate up to this point and seems none too pleased with the judge's decision. Katherine's lawyer, Burt Levitch, told reporters that "irreparable damage" could be done to Jackson's assets if Branca assumes control. (Her camp argues that Branca had been relatively removed from Jackson's life as of late). Branca, on the other hand, claims he had been re-hired by Jackson as the singer's attorney prior to his death.
Jul 6
2009
06:00 PM ET
Michael Jackson's will executors gain control of assets
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The sooner the executors can handle and manage his assets the sooner they can start paying off his debt and organizing things. If no other will exists the judge did the right thing. Katherine will just have to accept it.
No member of his family should be in control of his estate. However, I am not convinced that these 2 men will have the best interests of the children in mind as they try to sort out his debt.
Oh, but wouldn’t it be ironic if they sell his music catalogue and Paul McCartney buys it???? (just a thought)
I had no doubt the court would give control to the white men just another way to take a black man’s money. Yes michael signed the will in 2002 but one of his lawyers had a five percent interest in the sony catalog at that time therefore he had a financial benefit at that time and should not have be allowed to witness or write up the will, as to michael signing a paper eight days before he died leaves it further suspect. At the very least i think the judge could have had Ms. jackson at least be co executor
His death has been pretty widely reported (an understatement) so I doubt any lawyer is holding a will and not realizing that Jackson died. I don’t see why the family felt that a new will would have turned up.
John McClain is black, not white. He’s been a friend of the family for a very long time is the main one responsible for turning Janet’s career around.
I’m rather pleased with the turn of events because I’m not remotely convinced Katherine should have control of anything with the possible exception of the children. She’s just as bad with money as her children.
Mike was a looonatick so it’s not going to be at all surprising if his will is all looonaticky too! Nothing for his baby-mama! I wonder if any special teenie friends will show up?
To Kvivik: Why should no member of his family be in control of his estate? His mother is a perfectly acceptable character for that role. That’s his family, and they should benefit from Michael’s life. When you die, will you want a couple of lawyers taking your family’s rightful inheritance?
is the state of California paying for this huge spectacle of a memorial service? From all the news reports I hear, California is BROKE, and giving out IOU’s and laying people off work. How can they afford to pay for all the extra police protection. Who pays to rent the STaples center? It certainly should be the Jackson family, if this is their chosing. Personally, it’s a bit ridiculous, that all TV networks will cover it. MJ is not our president or a king, or anything like that. Why did Frank Sinatra get this kind of a send off?
So stupid… Calif. can pay for all the illegals, and now Michael Jackson’s celebration of life……..
I DON’T GET IT. Totally uncalled for.
terri – Agreed. And let us not forget those despicable money-grubbing media-types that are trying to milk this story for all it’s worth. (Entertainment Weekly Included).
and they all come out of the woodwork! rev al, rev jesse, and all of the so-called close family firends. sure, when they think they might get a few $$$ out of the deal. the truth be known, it’s old joe jackson pushing the whole thing, not katherine. joe is not a bright man and he definitely cannot think for himself if he has al sharpton speaking for him!! good lord, he’s the ultimate militant, instigator. i don’t recall ever seeing michael with either one of the rev’s during his fame. yeah, everyone is a close family friend right about now.
This is so sad. I could see this court battle going on for months if not years. My goodness, this is so sad.
Katherine shouldn’t be involved because she’s a 40% beneficiary – PERIOD! I have worked with trusts & estate planning for over 20 years. I know what I’m talking about. As someone who filed for bankruptcy in the last 10 years and who is 79 years old (no offense but she’s got a high possibility of dementia due to age & genetics), there is no sound reason to give that person any administrative responisibilities of an estate as large & convuluted as this will be.
My heart goes out to Michael’s family, especially his children. They have so much to go through. We all need to keep them in prayer.
I agree with Teri and Steve. This coverage is a disgrace. Raffling tickets for a funeral???? C’mon people. I take nothing from the fact that he was a good entertainer, but he had his ecsentric side as well. We have had presidents and royality not have this kind of coverage. I am so sick of seeing this stuff on TV. The whole bunch of Jackson’s are making a mokery of what a “memorial” service is and should be. As far as Rev Al, and Rev Jesse; you could bet they would be there…….FACE TIME ON TV FOR FREE!!!! They are both as about as reverent as vampire bats looking for new blood (money).
Personally, I’ve never heard one good pop song come from royalty or politicians. How many of the royal families and politicians can you name from the time of Shakespeare or DaVinci? Not Jackson to either, but the point is that art has a major effect on people, not phony politics and inherited crowns.