Jackson hearing has lengthy to-do list

LOS ANGELES — The handlers of Michael Jackson's probate and guardianship cases have a full slate at a hearing meant to tackle a number of estate and family issues.

At least one major hurdle was cleared last week with a custody agreement between Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and Deborah Rowe, the biological mother of the singer's two oldest children.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff has deferred hearing arguments or making rulings on several motions brought by attorneys for Katherine Jackson and the two men who have temporary control of the pop icon's financial matters: attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain.

Jackson's estate has been described in court documents as having an estimated value of more than $500 million, but its actual current worth is about $100 million, and could increase in value to $200 million or more with some financial restructuring, according to a person briefed on the matter. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

Branca and McClain could leave Monday's hearing with a firmer rein on the estate. Similarly, Katherine Jackson could emerge with guardianship of her three grandchildren, since her agreement with Rowe, which grants the singer's ex-wife visitation rights, means no one is expected to challenge the current arrangement.

Court filings state the administrators of Jackson’s estate have received his life insurance proceeds. The records, filed Friday, are redacted and don’t indicate how much the policy paid out. The filings state that money designated for Jackson’s children has been received by a trust being handled by special administrators of the estate.

The filings are meant to augment a petition to give the children a monthly stipend. Another filing indicates Jackson’s mother is also eligible for some benefits from the policy.

The administrators are also seeking an allowance for Mrs. Jackson, who is now caring for the children.

Mother: ‘Something happened’
Meanwhile, Katherine Jackson said in a recorded phone interview with Geraldo Rivera that she doesn't believe her son died of natural causes. The interview aired Sunday night on "Geraldo at Large" on the Fox News Channel.

"All I know that my son is dead, and I don't think he just died of natural causes or whatever," she said. "He's too young to have that. Something happened. I don't know what it was. And I can't say."

The to-do list for Monday's hearing has grown in recent weeks, with Beckloff deferring decisions on several issues, most of which have to do with Jackson's finances.

1. More Entertainment stories
   1. Jillian Michaels becomes a mom -- times two
      

      When Jillian Michaels left her post as a trainer on "The Biggest Loser," in Dec. 2010, she explained the departure by sayi...

   2. Phillip or Jessica? Who will be next 'Idol'?
   3. 'Blade Runner 2' will feature female star
   4. Seinfeld reveals least-favorite 'Seinfeld' episode
   5. Charades takes R-rated turn on 'Jimmy Fallon'

Among the issues Beckloff is slated to consider:

—An allowance for Katherine Jackson and her grandchildren. The special administrators of Jackson's estate have asked for monthly stipends for the group, noting that Jackson supported all of them when he was alive. Beckloff delayed considering the payments until Monday, but attorneys on both sides agree they are necessary.

—Decide when Katherine Jackson will become the permanent guardian of her grandchildren, 12-year-old Prince Michael, 10-year-old Paris Michael and 7-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket. No one else has petitioned for custody of the children, and Jackson was her son's first choice named in his 2002 will.

Slideshow: The face of change —Whether Katherine Jackson can challenge the men currently administering the son's estate, without actually contesting her son's will. Her attorneys have asked Beckloff to decide whether if they petition to remove Branca and McClain as administrators, they will trigger a no-contest clause in Jackson's trust. Without the protection of Beckloff's ruling, Mrs. Jackson could lose her 40 percent share of Jackson's estate if she mounts a challenge to Branca and McClain's authority.

—Mrs. Jackson's attorneys have expressed concerns about possible conflicts of interests that Branca and McClain may have, and have been seeking greater access to Jackson's records in the form of subpoenas and depositions. They sought that authority last week ahead of Monday's hearing, but were told they would have to wait until that day for a ruling.

—Decide whether Branca and McClain continue administering Jackson's estate. Court filings indicate the pair have already received $5.5 million from a former Jackson financial adviser, later identified as Tohme Tohme. They have also take possession of many of the King of Pop's property, and have said in court filings that they hope to finish several multimillion deals soon.

—Beckloff could be presented with some of those deals. The judge has already approved one that will bring Jackson's 1988 autobiography, "Moonwalk" back to store shelves. The singer left behind several unfinished projects and a trove of unreleased music.