Michael Jackson's mother has been granted limited control over some of the singer's estate after she expressed concerns about those in charge of the King of Pop's business deals and bank accounts.
Katherine Jackson, 79, was issued the right to take control of some of her son's property from an unknown third-party in a ruling by Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff on Monday.
The court ruling does not say what items have been placed in Jackson's control. It also does not provide control of any money from the estate.
Jackson has requested to take possession of thousands of items at Neverland Ranch bound for an auction that was later cancelled. A hearing for that request is set for July 6.
Papers filed by the Jackson family say they believe the singer died without a valid will. The family say they are best-suited to take charge of the pop star's debt-ridden, but potentially lucrative, finances.
Jackson was granted temporary guardianship of her three grandchildren earlier on Monday. A hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 3 on Jackson's petition to become the permanent guardian for the three children.
Joe Jackson has joined the petition to attempt to designate his wife as the keeper of the singer's estate.
Jackson's petition also included a request to name her the administrator of the children's estates, but the judge did not grant it.
The guardianship papers, which were filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, say the value of the children's estate is listed as "unknown."
Katherine Jackson has been caring for Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7, since their father died after suffering cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles home.
Jackson was 50.
Funeral plans on hold
Joe Jackson says his son's funeral is on hold as the family awaits results from the second autopsy.
He told reporters outside of the family's Los Angeles compound on Monday that the results are expected soon.
The county coroner performed an autopsy on Friday but has deferred a decision on the troubled superstar's cause of death.
Joe Jackson said his son will not be buried at Neverland ranch, contrary to reports.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who attended the news conference, said the pop's star legacy must be handled carefully.
Custody confusion
Jackson family attorney Londell McMillan said the family has not heard from Deborah Rowe, the mother of the two oldest children, about custody of the kids.
"I don't think there will be anybody who thinks that there is someone better" than Katherine, McMillan said Monday on NBC's "Today" show. "She is a very loving host of other grandchildren."
The guardianship papers note that Deborah Rowe is the mother of the Jackson's two eldest children, but list her whereabouts as "unknown."
Jackson's youngest son was born to a surrogate mother, whose identity has never been released. It is unclear if she has signed away her parental rights. The guardianship papers state "none" for the third child's mother.
Details of Jackson's will have yet to be released, so it is unclear if Jackson appointed a guardian for the children.
Rowe's lawyer, Marta Almli, released a statement Saturday saying that, "Ms. Rowe's only thoughts at this time have been regarding the devastating loss Michael's family has suffered. Ms. Rowe requests that Michael's family, and particularly the children, be spared such harmful, sensationalist speculation and that they be able to say goodbye to their loved one in peace."
Rowe worked as a nurse for Jackson's dermatologist before the two married in 1996. They divorced in 1999, and Rowe later gave up custody rights for the two kids.
While she is the children's biological mother, Jackson is not the biological father, according to investigative journalist Diane Dimond, who has written extensively about the singer.
"They were created by a sperm donor and Debbie Rowe," Dimond said Monday on Canada AM. "So what if that sperm donor comes forward and gets in the fight?"
In 2003, Rowe submitted a court petition to restore her parental rights after Jackson was arrested on child molestation charges. Rowe and Jackson reached an agreement on her rights, but the terms were never released and their divorce case remains sealed.
If Rowe regained her parental rights, she could receive custody of the two children, Los Angeles divorce attorney Stacy Phillips told The Associated Press, but "that could still be contested."
Rowe, and anyone else seeking custody of the children, would have to be evaluated to determine if she is the best potential caregiver.
As well, a judge will likely consider who the children have the strongest relationship bond with, which may put Rowe at a disadvantage.
In a 2001 petition in which she gave up her parental rights, Rowe said Jackson, "has been a wonderful father to the children, and I do not wish to share any parenting responsibilities with Michael because he is doing so well without me."
It is unclear how often Rowe has seen the children since the 2006 custody dispute, if at all.
Custody will be decided by a probate court once those seeking custody file the necessary papers.
Whoever wins the custody battle will likely receive support payments based on the funds in Jackson's estate.
"As broke as Jackson was, as messed up as his finances were, there's still a lot of money coming in," Dimond said. "So wherever those children go, that money will go. So I anticipate there's going to be one heck of a fight."
With files from The Associated Press
