Katherine Jackson Made Permanent Guardian of Michael's Kids

Aug. 3, 2009 — -- As expected, Katherine Jackson was granted permanent guardianship of her son Michael's three children during a hearing Monday that also included a last-minute objection by the dermatologist of the late King of Pop.

In court Monday morning, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff approved Jackson's guardianship petition, saying it was in the "best interest of the children."

Beckloff stated in court that the two older children, Prince and Paris, and Jackson's estranged husband, Joe Jackson, all signed consent forms supporting Jackson's bid for guardianship.

The judge also granted Katherine Jackson's full request for an allowance for her. But Beckloff only granted her 83.5 percent of the amount she requested to go toward raising the kids, saying there was some "duplication." Monetary figures were sealed and not released to the public.

The judge's ruling came after a few tense moments in which an attorney for Michael's longtime dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein raised non-specific objections to the custody arrangements.

"Legally, he is not a presumed parent," the attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told the judge, stating that Klein had concerns about the children's education and other day-to-day parenting issues, based on his "long-standing involvement with the children."

Last month, Klein denied tabloid rumors that he is the biological father of Michael's children. "To the best of my knowledge, I am not the father of these children," Klein told ABC News' Diane Sawyer in a "Good Morning America" exclusive. "I can't answer it in any other way. I don't want to feed any of this insanity that is going around."

The judge also preserved the parental rights of Debbie Rowe, Michael's ex-wife and the mother of Prince and Paris, giving her "meaningful visitation" with the children. Rowe and Jackson reached an out-of-court agreement giving her "meaningful visitation" rights in exchange for permanent custody for Jackson.

"Today, the parties in the California court brought about a result that is selfless and wise through a process that was collaborative and fair," Rowe's attorney Eric George told reporters outside the courtroom. "Everyone sought the same objective, doing what's best for the children of Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson. Today's result, five-and-a-half weeks after the tragic death of Michael Jackson, eliminates uncertainty and offers some stability to the lives of these children."

George also applauded his client. "She faced difficulties and pressures none of us know," he said, "and today's agreement shows that she responded with heart, integrity and selflessness."

Katherine Jackson's lawyer Diane Goodman stated in court that Michael's youngest child, son Blanket, was born to a surrogate who has no parental rights.

Jackson was accompanied in the courtroom by daughter LaToya and Rebbie and son Randy.

The parties will be back in court on October 2nd to review the "investigator's report," which will assess how the kids are doing and what kind of "meaningful visitation" Prince and Paris will have with Rowe.