Update On Monday`s Court Hearing

As we reported earlier, Michael Jackson's mother Katherine gained permanent custody of her late son's children during a hearing Monday. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff also granted monthly stipends to Katherine Jackson and the three children.

The ruling came after a few tense moments in which an attorney for Beverly Hills Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's longtime dermatologist, raised nonspecific objections to the custody arrangements. The attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, said they were based on the doctor's long-term relationship with the entertainer and his children:

"Legally, he is not a presumed parent."

He said Klein had concerns about the children's education and other day-to-day parenting issues.

Judge Beckloff ultimately determined Klein didn't have legal standing to object to the care of the children, but said he could raise objections later. The attorneys for Dr. Arnold Klein, Mark Vincent Kaplan and Bradley P. Boyer, later released the following press statement:

"At 9:15 AM today, August 3, 2009, we appeared on behalf of Dr. Arnold Klein before Judge Mitchell Beckloff in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Probate Department 5, to ask the Court to allow Dr. Klein to have an opportunity to present evidence to the Court for its consideration in fashioning an appropriate guardianship order with specific protection and supervision in areas relating to Paris Katherine and Prince Michael's upbringing that were of particular concern to Michael. Dr. Klein is not objecting to Katherine Jackson being the guardian nominee, but was acting on promises he made to Michael with respect to assuring the long term health and stability of the children and their ability to enjoy as normal of a life out of the spotlight as could be reasonably possible.

Dr. Klein has always had a special relationship with Paris Katherine and Prince Michael, loves and cares deeply for these children and is looking out for their best interest. Dr. Klein has been involved with the children in sharing holidays and other special events and wishes to have the ability to continue his involvement as a very close friend of their father and offers his guidance and protection forever.

Dr. Klein will make no further comments regarding this issue and asks the media to respect the privacy of the children. Counsel appearing today agreed that they would file their papers on behalf of Dr. Klein on September 1, 2009."

Diane Goodman, an attorney for Katherine Jackson, told judge Beckloff that Prince Michael II was born through a surrogate who has no parental rights.

Beckloff also ruled that Michael Jackson's longtime attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain will continue to administer the singer's estate until at least October. They have the authority to negotiate deals and transition Michael Jackson's assets into a private trust.

The hearing ended with Beckloff setting several court hearings into early next year to evaluate payments to Katherine Jackson and her grandchildren, a deal Branca and McClain have worked out with concert promoter AEG Live, and other unresolved issues.

Also Monday, it was announced that the estate has reached a settlement with concert promoter AEG. Terms were not disclosed, and the agreement will be filed under seal pending approval from Beckloff, who scheduled a hearing on the matter for next Monday. Branca said during a break that the settlement also included companies who owned merchandising rights and rehearsal footage.

The judge also said that Mrs. Jackson should be able to review her son's contracts with AEG, but only under certain conditions. The promoter had sought to prevent her attorneys access without a confidentiality order.

Mrs. Jackson's lawyers have also asked Beckloff to allow them to depose Branca and McClain and subpoena their records. Her attorneys have cited a potential conflict of interest between the administrators and AEG as a source of suspicion for the Jackson family.

Katherine Jackson arrived with daughters LaToya and Rebbie and son Randy Jackson for the hearing. Several attorneys representing her were also in court. The hearing was attended by more than 20 attorneys representing a variety of interests, including Sony/ATV, concert promoter AEG Live, and Columbia Pictures. However, the attorneys were outnumbered by media outlets jockeying for seats in the hearing.

Source: MJFC / AP / PR Web