Michael Jackson's Kids Meet with Court Appointed Guardian

By SHEILA MARIKAR (@SheilaYM) and ANTHONY CASTELLANO
July 24, 2012

A court appointed child advocate met with Michael Jackson's children Monday night, sources told ABC News, and is working with them to gain access to Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson's mother and their legal guardian.

Court papers will likely be filed this week to demand Katherine Jackson access to the children. Sources told ABC News that the filing will likely include a request for a temporary guardian and this is expected to be someone already around the children.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to a "family disturbance" at the Jackson family home Monday after, sources said, Randy, Jermaine and Janet Jackson showed up and apparently tried to take Michael Jackson's kids away.

Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Monday there was a "scuffle" between two family members at the Calabasas home of family matriarch Katherine Jackson, but no arrests were made.

TMZ posted a photo of siblings Janet and Jermaine Jackson standing outside the home around the time police were called, according to the website.

Katherine Jackson's laywer, Sandra L. Ribera, issued a statement saying "Jackson family members ambushed Katherine Jackson's home after their vehicle tore through security gates on the tails of the SUV containing Michael Jackson's children."

Ribera said Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson were taken to safe location. "An altercation ensued shortly thereafter and law enforcement arrived at the scene," according to the statement.

Latest Trouble for Jackson Family

This has been the latest drama that has plagued the Jackson family in the past few weeks. Katherine Jackson was reported missing Saturday only to be found "resting" with her daughter in Arizona.

X17Online obtained a photo of Jackson smiling and playing Uno with her family in Arizona. Her children released a statement Monday saying the missing person's report was "created by the very person and persons we are trying to protect our mother from."

Trent Jackson, Katherine Jackson's nephew and confidante, reported her missing. TJ Jackson, Tito Jackson's son, wrote a message to Paris Jackson on Twitter saying the ordeal was unfair: "I know it's completely unfair for them to do this you and your brothers. We will keep trying. I love you."

Paris Jackson tweeted Monday , "8 days and counting. Something is really off, this isn't like her at all. I wanna talk directly to my grandmother."

Katherine Jackson is the legal guardian of her late son's three children and there is no word on who is watching them in Jackson's absence.

Jermaine Jackson released a statement earlier this week about his mother's whereabouts, saying this is all "a conspiracy to deflect attention away from a letter we wrote asking for the resignation of executors" of Michael Jackson's will.

Five of Michael Jackson's siblings last week said his will was fake and the executors of his lucrative estate, John McClain and John Blanca, should step down. Jackson's entire fortune was left to his mother and three kids.

"They [executors of the will] will not stand down because the siblings who were left out of Michael's will want them to," said Zia Modabber, who is the attorney of the Jackson estate.

Howard Mann, Katherine Jackson's business partner, believed money is pulling the family apart.

"I believe that Katherine and the children who are benefactors of the estate fall on one side, and then Randy, Jermaine and Rebbie and Tito fall on the other side," Mann said. "They're a group of people who have a great deal of questions about the administration of the estate."

Modabber said, "I can't speak for them. I don't know what's motivating Jermaine and Randy and some of these others, but money is not a bad guess."

Modabber and Mann faced off in court Monday in a dispute over Mann and Katherine Jackson's selling Michael Jackson merchandise.

"It doesn't matter that it's Howard Mann and he may give some of the money to his family, to Katherine Jackson or anybody else," Modabber said. "You can't take property that belongs to the estate, make money from it, without getting permission from the estate."

Mann's attorney argues the material is and always was owned by Katherine Jackson and her husband, Joe, and not the late King of Pop.

Michael Jackson's estate is now worth about $1 billion and counting.

Azz said:

Timmy84 said:

Tito Joe Jackson, Tito's son, one of the few who have gotten along with Prince, Paris and Blanket, is currently working with his lawyer to get temporary custody of them according to TMZ and Michael's estate is co-signing it. Tito was one of the few who stood up for Paris when she failed to reach her grandmother. It's only temporary of course. Oh yeah, L.A. officials were blocked from contacting Katherine in Arizona by Rebbie and her goons. It's not over.

So the estate is fueling the removal of Katherine as guardian - temporarily.

Since Paris said she still ain't talked to her grandma, yep. They believed the other Jacksons have kidnapped Katherine.

And people wonder why Mike didn't like his family.

Timmy84 said:

Azz said:

So the estate is fueling the removal of Katherine as guardian - temporarily.

Since Paris said she still ain't talked to her grandma, yep. They believed the other Jacksons have kidnapped Katherine.

Sheriff's department already concluded investigation; stating that Katherine was well, and in good hands.

Azz said:

Timmy84 said:

Since Paris said she still ain't talked to her grandma, yep. They believed the other Jacksons have kidnapped Katherine.

Sheriff's department already concluded investigation; stating that Katherine was well, and in good hands.

Arizona said it. According to what has been reported, L.A. officials were actually blocked from talking to her. And of course Paris hasn't talked to her grandmother so that doesn't really help.

I can't believe that Katherine would be out there playing cards smiling to the camera while all this is happening. There are two options: Either she doesn't know what's going on and the biggest question in this case is HOW COME she doesn't know? Or she knows about it and doesn't care. Now which one of these is more likely to be the truth?

And don't tell me she's too ill to be stressed out about this cause this situation is not going to get any better if she doesn't do anything. She may end up having heart attack after she faces the situation that it will have ended in.

TMZ got Janet snatching Paris's phone. Lawd.

[img:$uid]http://ll-media.tmz.com/2012/07/24/072412-jacksons-launch-1.jpg[/img:$uid]

http://www.tmz.com/2012/0...ullwrapper

Azz said:

Timmy84 said:

Since Paris said she still ain't talked to her grandma, yep. They believed the other Jacksons have kidnapped Katherine.

Sheriff's department already concluded investigation; stating that Katherine was well, and in good hands.

Of course. Katherine is well and doesn't care.

[Edited 7/24/12 10:08am]

Don't know if this was posted already, if so, my apologies but it looks like Margaret Lodise is looking to permanently strip Katherine her guardianship rights to PPB:

Attorney For Michael Jack...on Family

Michael Jackson's children's court-appointed attorney, Margaret Lodise, will be asking a judge to strip Katherine Jackson's guardianship of Paris, Prince, and Blanket because she has been out of town for more than a week, because she believes the children aren't safe following a physical altercation with Janet, Jermaine, and Randy Jackson, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.
As Radar was first to report -- and as was captured on surveillance video broadcast on Good Morning America Tuesday -- Janet physically tried to take Paris' cell phone from her, and the children watched in horror as Jermaine and Randy got into a physical altercation with Trent Jackson, who is Joe Jackson's nephew.

"It was absolute utter chaos at the house. Lodise quickly determined that the children aren't safe around Michael Jackson's siblings and will be asking the judge to strip Katherine Jackson of guardianship of the children. Under no circumstances is it acceptable for the children to be subjected to any level of violence. The kids saw Jermaine and Randy get into a fight with Joe Jackson's nephew, Trent, who lives with the children and Katherine at the house. Trent was simply trying to prevent
the trio from taking the kids. Janet kept asking where the kids passports were! It's truly sad that it has come to this, but this was brought on my Michael's siblings," a source close to the situation tells us.

As previously reported Michael Jackson's children met with Lodise on Monday evening after Jermaine, Randy and Janet attempted to take the kids to Arizona.
"Margaret (Lodise) went to the house on Monday evening as a meeting with the children was requested," a source close to the situation tells Radar. "This came after Jermaine, Randy and Janet tried to take them out of state. Katherine has now been out of the picture for over a week, and legal options are now being pursued in order to ensure that the children are safe.
The executors of Michael Jackson's estate released a statement, which confirms Radar's exclusive report that Janet and Paris got into a dispute over the teenager's cell phone.

The statement reads: "Yesterday afternoon certain Jackson family members ambushed Katherine Jackson's home after their vehicle tore through security gates on the tails of the SUV containing Michael Jackson's children. After exiting their vehicles, Jackson family members ran up to Michael's children as they yelled and began to aggressively grab at the cell phones in their hands. Out of concern for the wellbeing [sic] of Prince, Paris, and Blanket Jackson, the children were forced to temporarily leave their home and taken to a safe location. An altercation ensued shortly thereafter and law enforcement arrived at the scene. Following the incident, it was learned that one of the family members who was part of the ambush admitted that a plan has been in place for the last three years to remove Katherine Jackson from her home and her beloved grandchildren. Prince, Paris, and Blanket Jackson have not heard from their grandmother since she left their home nine days ago to attend a series of her sons' concerts on their Unity Tour. She never made the shows. Despite efforts to interview Katherine Jackson at her current location in Arizona yesterday, Los Angeles County Sheriffs confirmed that they were denied access to Mrs. Jackson by security for one of her children."

Katherine Jackson has been in Arizona for over a week and hasn't talked to her grandchildren during that entire time. Last night, Paris Tweeted, "8 days and counting . something is really off , this isn't like her at all .. i wanna talk directly to my grandmother!!<|3"
Tuesday morning, Paris fired off another Tweet: On Tuesday, Paris posted on "Twitter: "9 days and counting... so help me god i will make whoever did this pay".
Jackson's children "will remain together, that is absolutely certain. The estate just wants to ensure that the children are safe, and away from all of this Jackson family insanity," the source said.

http://www.radaronline.co...son-family

----

So Tito Joe may not even get temporary rights to them if this is the case from Margaret...

A lot of people and the media after the death of MJ argued that children would be better without their crazy father ...

They were very, very wrong. Michael loved these children and cared for them. Now I do not know who can be a guardian.

LiLi1992 said:

A lot of people and the media after the death of MJ argued that children would be better without their crazy father ...

They were very, very wrong. Michael loved these children and cared for them. Now I do not know who can be a guardian.

If he was alive, he wouldn't allowed Paris to do all of this twitter and tweeting, that's for sure.

And he wouldn't have had his children around those nut jobs, if just to visit Katherine.

dag said:

I can't believe that Katherine would be out there playing cards smiling to the camera while all this is happening. There are two options: Either she doesn't know what's going on and the biggest question in this case is HOW COME she doesn't know? Or she knows about it and doesn't care. Now which one of these is more likely to be the truth?

And don't tell me she's too ill to be stressed out about this cause this situation is not going to get any better if she doesn't do anything. She may end up having heart attack after she faces the situation that it will have ended in.

I believe that she doesnt know any of what is going on. Her family kidnapped her and are holding her up in Arizona. They have cut off all matter of contact between her and the kids. Its not like she goes on the internet. They probably dont let her read or hear any of the news either. So I'm pretty sure Katherine has absolutely no idea of the mess that is going on.

TITO'S SON TJ
To Seek Temp Guardianship
of MJ's Kids

Tito Joe Jackson, aka TJ, the 34-year-old son of Michael Jackson's brother Tito, is having his lawyer draft legal docs in a bid to become temporary guardian of MJ's 3 kids ... TMZ has learned.

People familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Paris, Prince and Blanket all want TJ to be their guardian because they believe Katherine -- their current guardian -- has effectively been kidnapped by MJ's siblings. The kids haven't seen Katherine in 9 days.

Under California law, a judge would not grant a temporary guardian for teenagers unless the kids were on board with the selection, and we're told all 3 kids are down with it. We're told TJ has often acted like a parent to the kids and they love him.

As we first reported ... the Michael Jackson Estate is standing by and will support TJ's bid to become the temporary guardian if asked by the Probate judge.

Just 15 hours ago, TJ tweeted to Paris, "I know it's completely unfair for them to do this to you and your brothers. We will keep trying. I love you."

By the way, TJ is married with kids and is in a band with his 2 brothers. And get this ... he was Kim Kardashian's first love. Check out what looks like their prom pic.


One final point ... sources connected to MJ's siblings tell TMZ Michael's brothers and sisters are turning on each other. One brother has secretly been telling people he does not support what the others are doing to Katherine.

I knew this story yesterday, and held off at the request of some insiders. But I can tell you that Michael Jackson’s estate lawyers, Katherine Jackson’s lawyers and the Jackson kids’ guardian ad litem are going to go to Judge Beckloff at Los Angeles Superior Court. With Katherine Jackson unreachable and out of town, the group will present a temporary guardian to watch Prince, Paris and Blanket and be repsonsible for them. The fight is on. Who the guardian will be is still unknown, but Tito Jackson’s adult sons have been with the kids the most, and have a great rapport with them.

Confirmed: As guardian, Mrs. Jackson has already legally appointed one of the three T’s–Tito Jackson’s sons–as her replacement guardian. When the lawyers go to court, one of the T’s–Terrell, TJ or Taj– will be named if Mrs. Jackson doesn’t appear in court.

http://www.showbiz411.com...ksons-kids

[Edited 7/24/12 10:27am]

What the hell is going on???

All hell has broken loose.

All my thought are with Blanket though. The poor thing must be soooooooooooo confused and scared.

angel345 said:

LiLi1992 said:

A lot of people and the media after the death of MJ argued that children would be better without their crazy father ...

They were very, very wrong. Michael loved these children and cared for them. Now I do not know who can be a guardian.

If he was alive, he wouldn't allowed Paris to do all of this twitter and tweeting, that's for sure.

Yes, he was concerned about their security and privacy ... sometimes too much and it was a bit weird .. but it's MJ, you know

LiLi1992 said:

angel345 said:

If he was alive, he wouldn't allowed Paris to do all of this twitter and tweeting, that's for sure.

Yes, he was concerned about their security and privacy ... sometimes too much and it was a bit weird .. but it's MJ, you know

Now we know why.

All too predictable. Fucking Jacksons.

Marrk said:

Famed Washington DC Law Firm Says They Do NOT Represent Jackson Siblings

Do Randy, Jermaine and Janet Jackson have a lawyer to help them pull off their palace coup? Maybe not. A representative for Baker Hostetler in Washington DC has just called to say they do not represent the Jackson siblings and have not been engaged by them. In the letter signed by Randy, Jermaine and Janet sent to the Michael Jackson estate, Baker Hostetler’s name was invoked as possibly giving the signees advice. Sources tell me that BH partner John Manson was approached and did look into the matter. When I asked the rep who called about Manson’s participation, or if he’d given anyone advice, she simply kept reading the same two lines over and over. Then she added, “For anything else you’ll have to ask Randy Jackson.” And didn’t mean the judge from “American Idol.”

http://www.showbiz411.com...n-siblings

NaughtyKitty said:

Famed Washington DC Law Firm Says They Do NOT Represent Jackson Siblings

Do Randy, Jermaine and Janet Jackson have a lawyer to help them pull off their palace coup? Maybe not. A representative for Baker Hostetler in Washington DC has just called to say they do not represent the Jackson siblings and have not been engaged by them. In the letter signed by Randy, Jermaine and Janet sent to the Michael Jackson estate, Baker Hostetler’s name was invoked as possibly giving the signees advice. Sources tell me that BH partner John Manson was approached and did look into the matter. When I asked the rep who called about Manson’s participation, or if he’d given anyone advice, she simply kept reading the same two lines over and over. Then she added, “For anything else you’ll have to ask Randy Jackson.” And didn’t mean the judge from “American Idol.”

http://www.showbiz411.com...n-siblings

WOW! Talk about being busted.

lazycrockett said:

Its hilarious watching this family implode.

It would be entertaining if 3 young children weren't involved, but now it's just tawdry and wretched.

Now I'm beginning to understand Michael's logic of listing Diana Ross as desired guardian in the will...to keep them away from those lazy, crumb snatching siblings of his. This is all just too...ugh..!

Ottensen said:

Timmy84 said:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...OcWkrvhq9Q

For those who couldn't watch the video on TMZ.

[Edited 7/24/12 9:23am]

It's a good thing Randy did interject to stop Janet from taking the smartphone from Paris. Given that he is fully aware of how powerful information technology has become these days, anything the Jackson siblings say OR do at this point can and will be used against them in court.

dag said:

LiLi1992 said:

Yes, he was concerned about their security and privacy ... sometimes too much and it was a bit weird .. but it's MJ, you know

Now we know why.

Yeah. Paris' shouldn't be on Twitter.

TonyVanDam said:

Timmy84 said:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...OcWkrvhq9Q

For those who couldn't watch the video on TMZ.

[Edited 7/24/12 9:23am]

It's a good thing Randy did interject to stop Janet from taking the smartphone from Paris. Given that he is fully aware of how powerful information technology has become these days, anything the Jackson siblings say OR do at this point can and will be used against them in court.

I'm sure everyone one here has once had their phone taken away by an authority figure.

No need to exaggerate what happened. Now MJ fans are saying Janet assaulted Paris.

musicology54 said:

Ottensen said:

It would be entertaining if 3 young children weren't involved, but now it's just tawdry and wretched.

Now I'm beginning to understand Michael's logic of listing Diana Ross as desired guardian in the will...to keep them away from those lazy, crumb snatching siblings of his. This is all just too...ugh..!

agreed.

There is no logic in listing Diana Ross as a back-up guardian.

She don't want nothing to do with those kids.

Timmy84 said:

Musicslave said:

Thanks Timmy. (I think ) Looks Janet was trying to get her to shut the hell up by getting her phone. However, it wasn't the big fight that some were trying to make it seem. Janet wanted her phone, Paris said no.

I guess the family don't realize that they're only making things worst.

The fight wasn't necessarily with Paris and Janet though Janet definitely tried to force Paris' hand. Paris was like "back off" and walked away before Janet could get to her again. The "big fight" was with Trent and Randy.

Holyshit, this really is a War Of The Jacksons! It's Trent (Tito's son?) VS. Randy (Tito's baby brother).