Now that the gripping memorial service for Michael Jackson has concluded, the backdrop is likely to become more hostile as a custody battle looms over the king of pop's children in the coming weeks.
Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff of the L.A. Superior Court ruled that temporary guardianship of Jackson’s three children be awarded to his mother, Katherine Jackson,
79, pending a trial on July 13th when the court will reconsider who claims permanent custody.
79, pending a trial on July 13th when the court will reconsider who claims permanent custody. In his will, Jackson had hoped his mother would take custody of the children, with singer Diana Ross as backup, should anything happen to Mrs. Jackson.
Debbie Rowe, however, Jackson’s former wife and mother of two of the entertainer’s three children, Joseph Michael Jackson Jr., and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson II, is reportedly considering filing a suit for custody, which will surely add fuel to the fire over the Jackson’s assets, since if Mrs. Rowe does win custody, she would be entitled to a portion of the entertainer’s mammoth estate.
In determining custody, California law weighs heavily in favor of Mrs. Rowe, the legal parent, but the court does have discretion to deny custody to the presumed legal parent if the person is considered “detrimental to the children.’’
But should the former pop icon’s wishes be granted, and his mother does win permanent custody of the children, Mrs. Jackson will be only one in millions of Americans who have grandchildren living with them.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there is an estimated 6.2 million grandparents with children living with them; nine percent of all children (an estimated 6.6 million) live in a household which includes a grandparent; while 23 percent of children living with a grandparent do not have a parent living with them.
In California, 28.6 percent of grandparents live with their grandchildren, one of the lowest in the country. North Dakota with 61.7 percent of grandparents living with their grandchildren is the highest in the nation, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Websites to keep in mind:
-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com
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