MICHAEL JACKSON - JUDGE HANDS KEYS OF JACKSON'S KINGDOM OVER TO EXECUTORS

JUDGE HANDS KEYS OF JACKSON'S KINGDOM OVER TO EXECUTORS

MICHAEL JACKSON's mother KATHERINE has lost her fight to keep control of her son's estate during a busy court session in Los Angeles on the day before the King of Pop's memorial.
The Jackson family matriarch was awarded temporary administration of her son's estate a week ago (beg29Jun09), but a will naming the singer's business associates John Branca and John MCClain co-executors of his fortune has since been filed.
In the will, which the Jackson family reportedly knew nothing about, the late star has left his estate to a family trust and to selected charities.
Lawyer Branca, Jackson's attorney L. Londell MCMillan and legal teams representing alleged creditors of the King of Pop all gathered for a probate hearing at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on Monday morning (06Jul09).
A member of MCMillan's team told the court that the Jackson family has "concerns about turning over the keys to the kingdom just yet".
But a Los Angeles probate judge has ruled that Michael Jackson's 2002 will is valid and that, per the late star's wishes, attorney Branca and veteran music executive MCClain, are executors of his estate.
Lawyers for Jackson's mother asked Judge Mitchell Beckloff to delay the decision, but the judge stated, "Someone needs to be at the helm of the ship."
Beckloff told the court he felt Branca and MCClain would act in the best interests of the estate and be best equipped to sort through various complicated legal and financial problems.
The next hearing in the probate case is set for 3 August (09).