It will be at least another week before it is known who will have custody of Michael Jackson's three children, after a Los Angeles court delayed a crucial guardianship hearing on Friday afternoon.
A judge delayed the hearing at the request of the pop singer's mother, Katherine Jackson, and his ex-wife, Deborah Rowe, both of whom are trying to reach an agreement on the care of the pop singer's children.
The upcoming hearing -- now rescheduled for July 20 -- could decide who has custody.
Rowe is the biological mother of the late singer's two oldest children, 12-year-old Prince Michael and 11-year-old Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.
A surrogate mother, who has never been publicly identified, gave birth to Jackson's youngest child, seven-year-old Prince Michael II.
Katherine Jackson has served as the temporary guardian of her grandchildren since the 50-year-old pop singer died late last month.
It is believed that Rowe and Katherine Jackson are negotiating 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," Jackson family attorney L. Londell McMillan said in a statement to The Associated Press.
There has been no indication in court records that Rowe intends to seek custody of the three children and it is unclear when she last saw them.
Michael Jackson's 2002 will stated that he wanted his mother to care for his children if he died. He named singer Diana Ross as a backup guardian.
Jackson did not leave anything to Rowe in his will.
In 2001, Rowe decided to terminate her parental rights, though that decision was overturned and she later reached an undisclosed settlement with Jackson.
With files from The Associated Press
