It has only be 2 days since Michael Jackson's death and the speculations continue regarding all aspects of his estate. Take his children for instance. Until a copy of Michael Jackson's will is release, we can only wonder what his intentions were. However, even if he covers it in his will, there still might be a challenge to his decision regarding his children.
Today, I want to speak on the 2 children, Prince Michael and Paris, whose mother Debbie Rowe had been divorced from Michael Jackson since 1999. It is not clear whether she gave up parental rights to her children though Michael had full custoday under an agreement. The reports state that the children are currently with their nanny and their grandmother (Michael's mother) is in line to take care of them.
Well, it is my opinion that it will not be clear cut at all. If the will provides for a guardian and it is not their mother, she may challenge the will or just assert her parental rights which would supercede the will. She is the mother and she has been involved in their life, as so reported. If she gave up parental rights, then under what circumstances and have those circumstances now changed with his death. The legal battle would surround the terms of the (1) will, (2) the divorce decree and any settlement made with the court and, (3) the agreement referred to that was made between Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe outside of the purview of the court. All of this will be viewed with what would be in the best interest of the children: to be with their mother; to be with their grandmother; to be with another relative; or some other option that I can not even imagine at this time. The children, 11 and 12, are old enough for the judge to even ask what their preference might be. So, we have only just begun!!!
I will talk about the third child, Prince Michael II who is 7 tomorrow. His circumstances are different and require a different approach.
Your comments are welcome or contact us at http://www.ythlaw.com/
Today, I want to speak on the 2 children, Prince Michael and Paris, whose mother Debbie Rowe had been divorced from Michael Jackson since 1999. It is not clear whether she gave up parental rights to her children though Michael had full custoday under an agreement. The reports state that the children are currently with their nanny and their grandmother (Michael's mother) is in line to take care of them.
Well, it is my opinion that it will not be clear cut at all. If the will provides for a guardian and it is not their mother, she may challenge the will or just assert her parental rights which would supercede the will. She is the mother and she has been involved in their life, as so reported. If she gave up parental rights, then under what circumstances and have those circumstances now changed with his death. The legal battle would surround the terms of the (1) will, (2) the divorce decree and any settlement made with the court and, (3) the agreement referred to that was made between Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe outside of the purview of the court. All of this will be viewed with what would be in the best interest of the children: to be with their mother; to be with their grandmother; to be with another relative; or some other option that I can not even imagine at this time. The children, 11 and 12, are old enough for the judge to even ask what their preference might be. So, we have only just begun!!!
I will talk about the third child, Prince Michael II who is 7 tomorrow. His circumstances are different and require a different approach.
Your comments are welcome or contact us at http://www.ythlaw.com/
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