Updated July 01, 2009
Michael Jackson's Will Filed in Court, Excludes Ex-Wife Debbie Rowe
Associated Press
LOS ANGELESMichael Jackson's will has been filed in a Los Angeles court. The will, dated July 7, 2002, says Jackson chose not to provide for his former wife Debbie Rowe.
Michael Jackson's 7-year-old will was filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles court, giving his entire estate to a family trust and naming his mother as a beneficiary of the trust and the guardian of his three children.
The will names singer Diana Ross as a successor guardian to 79-year-old Katherine Jackson if necessary.
The will, dated July 7, 2002, estimated his estate at that time at more than $500 million. It gives the entire estate to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. His former wife Debbie Rowe is cut out of the will.
The documents said Jackson's estate consisted almost entirely of "non-cash, non-liquid assets, including primarily an interest in a catalogue of music royalty rights which is currently being administered by Sony ATV, and the interests of various entities."
RAW DATA: Click here to read the Last Will of Michael Joseph Jackson
It also names Jackson's longtime lawyer John Branca and John McClain, a music executive and a family friend, as co-executors of the will.
Jackson, who died Thursday at age 50, left behind three children: son Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11; and son Prince Michael II, 7. Rowe was the mother of the two oldest children; the youngest was born to a surrogate mother, who has never been identified.
The children are named in the will.
In a statement, Branca and McClain said: "The most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children. As we work to carry out Michael's instructions to safeguard both the future of his children as well as the remarkable legacy he left us as an artist we ask that all matters involving his estate be handled with the dignity and the respect that Michael and his family deserve."
Katherine Jackson was granted temporary guardianship Monday of Jackson's three children. A judge held off on requests to control the children's estates, and gave her limited control over her son's troubled, but lucrative finances.
Rowe, who was married to Jackson in 1996 and filed for divorce three years later, surrendered her parental rights. An appeals court later found that was done in error, and Rowe and Jackson entered an out-of-court settlement in 2006.
Neither Rowe nor her attorneys have indicated whether she intends to seek custody of the two oldest children.
Latest Entertainment Video
-
-
Marvin's Minute: 11/23
-
Nov 23, 2009
J-Lo takes a tumble, Taylor Swift wins all
-
-
-
End of an Era
-
Nov 20, 2009
Oprah announces end of talk show
-
-
-
'Dynasty'
-
Nov 17, 2009
Two Olympic skiers featured in film
-
-
-
Paula Deen
-
Nov 16, 2009
Thanksgiving cooking tips
-
-
-
'Georgia on My Mind'
-
Nov 16, 2009
The Little Rockers perform a classic
-
-
-
Marvin's Minute: 11/16
-
Nov 16, 2009
Your daily entertainment news hit
-
MOST ACTIVE IN ENTERTAINMENT
Most Read
Most Commented
-
Larry David Blasted for 'Curb' Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus Painting
October 28, 2009 1,370 comments
-
Lou Dobbs Quits CNN in Surprise Announcement
November 11, 2009 229 comments
-
Oprah Winfrey Tells Audience Her Show's 'Yellow Brick Road' Is Coming to an End
November 20, 2009 96 comments
-
'Sesame Street' Ombudsman Says Fox News Parody 'Should Have Been Resisted'
November 06, 2009 83 comments
-
Parental Advocacy Group Slams CW's 'Gossip Girl' for Intense Sexual Imagery
November 05, 2009 58 comments
-
Courteney Cox Returning to Cougar Town Set
November 23, 2009
-
VIDEO: Paula Deen Hit in Face with a Ham
November 23, 2009
-
Police Chief Convicted in Sarah Jessica Parker Surrogate Theft
November 23, 2009
-
PHOTO: Kendra Wilkinson Dresses Up Her Dogs for Christmas
November 23, 2009
-
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's Cozy Weekend in New York
November 23, 2009
-
Courteney Cox Returning to Cougar Town Set
November 23, 2009
-
VIDEO: Paula Deen Hit in Face with a Ham
November 23, 2009
-
Police Chief Convicted in Sarah Jessica Parker Surrogate Theft
November 23, 2009
-
PHOTO: Kendra Wilkinson Dresses Up Her Dogs for Christmas
November 23, 2009
-
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's Cozy Weekend in New York
November 23, 2009
-
Kirk Cameron -- Mauled by a Bruin in Darwin Fight
November 24, 2009
-
Dikembe Mutombo -- Really Wanna Have Sex?
November 24, 2009
-
Tequila Threatens Lawsuit Over Stolen Sex Tape
November 24, 2009
-
Pratt to DJs -- I Want My Money!
November 24, 2009
-
Valet Smacks Khloe Kardashian's Rear End
November 24, 2009
-
X17 XCLUSIVE - Kate Bosworth and Alex Skarsgard's Hot Movie Date
November 23, 2009
-
Chaz Bono Says Sex Change Was The "Best Decision I've Ever Made"
November 20, 2009
-
Madonna Wore Bullet-Proof Vest In Brazil
November 20, 2009
-
Robert Pattinson Admits He And Kristen Are Engaged!
November 19, 2009



recommend


Subscribe to Comments






