Jackson's Ex-Wife Could Sue for Kids
Custody battle between two very different women could be brewing.
July 1, 2009— -- A custody battle over Michael Jackson's three children may be brewing, and even the King of Pop's will may not determine who would come out on top.
On one side is Katherine Jackson, Jackson's 79-year-old mother, who has been a constant for the singer throughout an often turbulent career and personal life. On the other is Debbie Rowe, Jackson's second wife, who has maintained her distance from the family since divorcing Jackson in 1999. But Rowe maintains parental rights over the two older children.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that, at least for now, Katherine Jackson would get custody of his three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, 11; and Prince Michael Jackson II, 7. It's a ruling that Rowe and others could challenge in the future.
Jackson's will, which is expected to be filed in a California court this week, could reveal his last wishes for his children. But those wishes would not be legally binding and only "a factor" in a custody hearing, California attorney Gloria Allred told "Good Morning America" today.
Jackson died last Thursday after suffering apparent cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles home.
Despite reports that Rowe has not been close to the family for more than a decade and may not be biological mother of any of the children, she would still have "an advantage" should she seek custody, Allred said. The two older children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. and Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, were born while Rowe was married to Jackson, making her their legal mother.
She reportedly signed away her parental rights to the children after the divorce, but in 2006 an appeals court reestablished her parental status.
"Katherine would have to show it would be detrimental [to the kids for Rowe to have custody]. That's a very heavy burden," Allred said.
At 30 years Rowe's senior, Katherine Jackson "has always had the quiet hand," the Rev. Al Sharpton told "Good Morning America" Tuesday.
Sharpton, who has known the family for more than three decades and has spent time with the family since Michael Jackson's death last week, described Jackson's mother as a "rock."
"These kids love their grandmother. She's been in their lives," California divorce attorney Stacy Phillips said. "The only thing that is a problem for Katherine is she's not a spring chicken."
In a statement released Tuesday, Rowe's attorney said she may appear in court.
"Debbie remains grief stricken. Her thoughts are with the children and all the Jackson family," the statement read. "To the extent she must respond to court proceedings that were started by others, she will of course do so at the appropriate time."
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