Jackson Kids Update: Guardianship Case Delayed One Week

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's mother and ex-wife will have time to reach an agreement over who will take care of the singer's three children.

For the second time, Katherine Jackson and Deborah Rowe joined to seek a delay in a hearing that could decide who gets custody of the pop superstar's children. A guardianship hearing scheduled for Monday has been delayed for a week, an attorney said Friday.

Katherine Jackson will remain the temporary guardian of her son's three children, who range in ages from 7 to 12.

Court records show a judge granted the delay Friday afternoon.

The hearing could have presented a showdown between Katherine Jackson and Rowe, who was married to the pop singer from 1996 to 1999.

Instead, the two sides are trying to broker an out-of-court settlement.

"We are pleased that the child custody hearing has been continued over until July 20th to further our progress and allow us to privately and amicably resolve this most important matter in a dignified manner for the benefit of the children first and all involved," L. Londell McMillan said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Attorneys for Rowe declined to comment on Friday. Requests to interview Rowe have also been denied.

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Rowe has not indicated in court filings that she intends to seek custody. She is the mother of Jackson's two oldest children, 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, and 11-year-old Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.

The youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, was born to a surrogate mother who has never been identified.

In a will signed in 2002, Michael Jackson stated he wanted his mother to care for his children if he died. As a backup, he designated singer and longtime friend Diana Ross.

Rowe was not given any role in the will. While much has been made of her decision in 2001 to terminate her parental rights, that decision was overturned and she and Jackson reached an out-of-court settlement in 2006.

The details of that agreement have never been released and it is unclear when Rowe, 50, last saw Jackson's children.

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AP Music writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody contributed to this report.

Comments

[sexyrexy]

lol Debbie Rowe is just using Joe Jackson as excuse to get hold of those kids.. hence the $$$'s.. as anyone should fully know by now-- JOe Jackson carried NO weight in MJ's affairs or in the Jackson clan. NONE!

He'll be back in Vegas once the news media leaves !

[Cherubim]

Debbie Rowe has always been about the MONEY!!!!

[hulagirrrl]

How do you know? She was a nurse, and now raises horses. For both of these things, I would believe a person has some compassion. We do not know what is going on in D R's head. She may be the nicest mother in the world, MJ saw something in her to have his children....
I think both look a bit like her, and if she wants to be part of their life, in any way, shape or form, that is good on her. I believe that she is content on her horse farm and not really a gold digger. The family is all split up over where to bury MJ, some of them are seeing $$$ only, and probably rightly so, because now that MJ is gone, he left 40% to his mother, who is going to take care of them if mom does not?
Bottom line, without joe and his ways, there would not have been a michael.

[sexyrexy]

she's not a nurse-- she's a med assistant. and Klein is a dermatologist.

[JenIA]

You just have to feel so badly for the kids. They are pawns of the Jackson family and the fact that they are MJ's children will invite vultures for the rest of their lives. They are tabloid fodder for the rest of their lives. If I were one of the kids, as soon as I turned 18 I'd change my name and try to live as anonymously as possible.

[maisnon55]

once the publicity from their father's death dies down, people are not going to have a lot to follow them around about......what will they be interested in, their junior high graduation........I think it will die down.

[Fixxin2]

I think Debbie Rowe's only concern is that Joe Jackson have as little influence over her children as possible. He is the absolute last person Michael would want raising those kids. Joe has already made comments that seem to indicate a desire to exploit their talents, just as he did with his own children. And while Katherine may be a loving grandmother, she apparently was incapable of protecting Michael from Joe's abuse. Will she do any better for MJ's kids? Very scary.

[maware234]

Joe Jackson talks crap because people interview him. He doesn't live with Katherine - he lives in Vegas. They've been separated for a while and the kids will probably only see him at family reunions and such. He will not play an important role in their lives.

[BRT]

I agree to that. Joe Jackson is a proud old man not to be taken seriously at this stage. He will be back in Vegas and if not, by now his own children are old men who are not jumping when he speaks. Notice he has been by himself--not with his sons standing by his side.

MJ's children are not used to JJ's parenting style and would never put up with it. They are the same age as middle school kids anywhere who have a lot of judgment. They demonstrated to the world that they are intelligent children, and with a lot of character from what we could see. They also showed the world that they are Jacksons.

I also noticed a lot of "white" looking Jackson family who might have been grandchildren or great grandchildren. The sad thing is that everyday my daughter has to explain that her white looking children actually belong to her and in my lowly opinion, I think the concern is more about them being with their African-American family. By now, the kids know who they are. Don't think they don't. There are so many bi-racial children in America today who must think people who are trying to figure them out are nuts.

[MyrtleJune]

Whoops ... that "Exactly" was for the Fixxin2 post, NOT maware234. I dis agree with maware234 totally. JJ should not see these children even at family reunions. And I think you also underestimate his power over Katherine.

[maisnon55]

he said in an interview this week that he and Katherine would raise them, and if there is any money or publicity to be had, he will be around

[MyrtleJune]

Exactly.

[BRT]

"Rowe has not indicated in court filings that she intends to seek custody."

This is a quote from the article above and unless there are filings next week--we should assume that she will not need to file, but will settle with Katherine Jackson; either for visitation or financial reward. Refer to http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/11/debbie-rowe-michael-jackson-custody-children/

[dimplesmile7]

So in other words Debbie wants more money.

[gogreenback]

yes she does

[sexyrexy]

I also don't make a big deal that MJ with the kids visited her.. so what! she's a so called family friend who was also MJ's surrogate..

MJ can be very conniving & cunning. when he wanted to be... lol.. he was no fool!

[jade7243]

Monetary settlement for Rowe? NO.
Custody for Rowe? NO.
Limited supervised visitation for Rowe? Maybe.

Clearly she has played no significant role in the children's lives. She has stated she missed some visitation because of illness in the past, and that she found it difficult to reschedule with MJ. She has said she had problems bringing the children balloons for their birthdays. (I would just note the USPS, Fed-Ex and UPS can deliver just about anything, anywhere, worldwide. And given that her settlement and determination of parental rights were court-ordered, she could have used the court as a go between help establish a regular pattern of visitation had she wanted.)

Eventually, the children will be old enough to decide for themselves if they want contact with her.

On a side note, I think the court would to well to order one of MJ's siblings as guardians for the kids, but allow them to live, if they wish, with their grandmother. Regardless, the determination of "final" custody for them should be determined now, so they don't find themselves back in court being passed over to someone else when Katherine passes.

[katseye5150]

I am not a lawyer, so I am not familiar with the rights of Ms. Rowe with regard to her children. MJ gave guardianship to his Mother, but made no mention of his Father, whom he apparently had no use for. I can only think that MJ had faith that his Mother would do the right thing by the children. They are the ones who count here, they must be protected! I can only say that, having just seen an interview with Joe Jackson, Mr. Jackson's main focus seemed to be on the prospect of little Paris having some talent and "Blanket" being a great dancer. So, what plan is this man already forming in his mind for these children? I feel afraid for them and hope that this man is not allowed to have any control over their futures! He may have pushed his own children into fame and fortune - but, at what cost to their mental health and stability? This man scares me and I fear for these kids, if he is allowed to exploit them! Please, somebody help these children!

[elatas]

Rowe has gone through her 8 million and she's here for more with a few visitation rights to make it appear as she really cares.

[sexyrexy]

I keep saying this: it's very telling, MJ left Rowe out of his WILL.. .. this is something he will not do-- if she's the 'real bio mother' of those kids.. as MJ knew the repercussions of this and havoc she could bring to his estate-& the custody of those kids.
His lawyer would have also advised him. If anyone should know the 'genes' of those kids? it should be MJ's lawyer.

MJ knew what she's about-- in her interviews.. she stated. these kids are the ultimate love children as she did it for "LOVE".. huh?? for $8 millions?? yeah right!
She also made seem 'so romantic' when she told MJ she'll carry his kids.. now after Klein was interviewed.. seems like he was behind this gambit,too. How can anyone have the guts to suggest this to MJ? without prior knowledge-- MJ wanted kids?! he would have confided this desire to Klein.

then, he's the one who phoned Rowe to get custody?? and even saying with Debbie & the nanny etc.. the kids will be ok??
the things people say that makes one go duh.. huh..

I smell a 'rat'.. and of course, it's about MONEY!