The Probate Lawyer Blog

Michael Jackson Estate, charity settle Heal the World fight

A big trial is set to begin in late April, pitting the executors of the Michael Jackson Estate against the operator of the Heal the World charitable foundation. The charity has many supporters, including Michael Jackson’s parents, Katherine and Joe Jackson.  

Not only has Katherine supported the charity against the executors, but she did so with a surprising attack against John Branca, the lawyer who is one of two estate executors.

Katherine Jackson has battled with the executors before, but it all seemed resolved in late 2009 after her surprising change of heart.  But clearly, there is plenty of fighting left!

What did Katherine Jackson say, under oath, to support this charity? Is this is a sign of more fighting yet to come? What could have been done differently in Michael Jackson’s estate planning to prevent this fight?

Danielle and Andy Mayoras of Trial & Heirs answer these questions and more in this video:

 

4/19/11 Update:  The Estate and the Heal the World Foundation have now reached a settlement, reportedly following a meeting between Katherine Jackson's new lawyer and the Estate's attorney.  Reportedly, the Estate will now control the charity, with both Katherine Jackson and Melissa Johnson (the woman who was running the charity sued by the Estate) will serve on the board of directors.

By Andy and Danielle Mayoras, co-authors of Trial & Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights!, husband-and-wife legacy expert attorneys, and hosts of an upcoming national PBS special.  The charismatic duo has appeared on the Rachael Ray Show, Forbes, ABC's Live Well Network, WGN-TV and has lent their expertise and analysis to hundreds of media sources.  As dynamic keynote speakers, Danielle and Andy delight audiences nationwide with highly entertaining and informative presentations, dishing the dirt on celebrity estate battles while dispensing important legal information.

For legal help in Michigan, visit Andy and Danielle's law firm's websites, The Center for Elder Law and The Center for Probate Litigation.  For the latest celebrity and high-profile cases, with tips to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your clients, subscribe to The Legacy Update at www.TrialandHeirs.com.

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New legal battle coming for Michael Jackson Estate

The Los Angeles Times had an interesting article this past weekend about the Michael Jackson Estate and a new legal hurdle it faces.  The King of Pop certainly didn't do much to make it easy for his estate executors or his heirs.  This development could add new fuel to the fire between his family and the music executive and lawyer in charge of his estate and trust.

As we've written extensively about before, Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson was in a nasty fight with the executors over control of the estate last year.  That is, they were feuding until Katherine dropped the legal challenge and stepped aside.  In fact, according to the LA Times article, she now feels executors John Branca and John McClain are doing "a very good job".

The problem is she believes that the cash allowance of $7,000 to $8,000 per month, which the pair gives her from the estate, is not enough.  While the estate also pays other expenses for her as well as Michael's kids (adding up to millions of dollars, according to the estate's lawyer), Katherine wants more.

Joe Jackson still shut out from Michael's estate claims

Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, just won't stop pursuing claims involving his late son's estate, even though judges keep telling him to . . . [wait for it] . . . Beat It!  

Joe Jackson's efforts to have the administrators of the King of Pop's estate removed in court have failed.  Here's our last article discussing his failed attempts.  The probate judge ruled he didn't have legal "standing" (meaning the right to bring the claim in court) to fight against the executors because he was not a beneficiary.  In other words, because he wouldn't inherit anything, it wasn't his right to complain about what the executors were doing.

Katherine Jackson brings wrongful death lawsuit against AEG

When Joe Jackson sued for the death of his son Michael Jackson, Katherine Jackson initially said she wanted nothing to do with it.  Now Michael's mother, who is also the guardian of his children, has started her own lawsuit against the concert promotion company that, she claims, pushed Michael to his death.

Katherine's lawsuit blames AEG for the King of Pop's death and seeks damages on behalf of Katherine and Michael's children.  You can download and read the lawsuit here courtesy of TMZ.com.

Among other reasons, it accuses AEG of negligently hiring, failing to supervise and controlling Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor who has been criminally charged for causing the death by using Propofol (and other drugs) to help Michael sleep, when it was not medically appropriate. 

Joe Jackson refuses to stay out of the Michael Jackson estate

Even though Michael Jackson's father was not included as a beneficiary in his will or trust, it hasn't stopped Joe Jackson from trying to intercede in the legal proceedings surrounding the estate.  First, he asked the judge to remove estate executors John Branca and John McClain.

The probate judge dismissed his claims, saying he lacked "standing" in the estate because he was not a beneficiary.  In other words, he did not have enough of a financial interest in the estate to be able to legally complain about who was in charge.

Recently, Joe Jackson filed an appeal of that decision, arguing that he was financially dependent on his son while he was alive, so he did have enough of an interest to attack the executors. 

Michael Jackson Estate Battles - the Year in Review

The one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s shocking death on June 25, 2009 is upon us. While his music and thriller dance moves live on, unfortunately, so do the legal battles over his estate.  Let’s moonwalk backwards through the past 12 months to review the courtroom clashes and combative issues involving the King of Pop’s estate.

June 25, 2009 – Michael Jackson unexpectedly dies at the age of 50 as he is about to embark on a comeback concert tour.

June 29 – Katherine and Joe Jackson, Michael’s parents, file to open the probate estate of Michael.  They allege that he died without a will and ask for Katherine to be appointed to administer his estate.  Katherine filed to be appointed as guardian of Michael’s three children the same day and is granted temporary authority to assume custody of them.

July 1 – John Branca, Michael’s former attorney, and John McClain, his former manager, file their own probate petition, asking the Judge to appoint them as executors of Michael’s estate based on a will Michael signed July 7, 2002.  The will names Katherine as the person Michael wanted to care for his children, with Diana Ross as the back-up.  The assets are left to the Michael Jackson Family Trust.  Estimates of the estate’s value exceed $500 million, despite reports that there was so much debt to render Michael Jackson insolvent.

Michael Jackson living trust revealed

With so much exposure and scrutiny on everything that's happened to Michael Jackson's estate since he died, it should probably come as no surprise that his living trust has been leaked to the media and made public.  Wills are public documents and available for everyone to read (once they are filed with the probate court after someone dies).  Accordingly, the Michael Jackson will has been floating around for months.

Trusts, however, are another matter.  Living trusts are intended to be private documents, operating outside of the court process (unless there is a dispute or challenge). 

Someone decided to sneak a copy of Michael Jackson's living trust document to the press, and a British website has the complete document online for your reading pleasure.  Click here to read the Michael Jackson Family Trust. 

Note that the website mistakenly refers to this document as his "Will" -- it's actually his trust, not his will. 

So what does the King of Pop's trust reveal?