Katherine Jackson seeks custody of Michael's kids

In the continuing story of life after Michael Jackson, his mother, Katherine Jackson, asked a Superior Court judge to name her administrator of her son's estate so she can ensure that his three children become its beneficiaries.

Court documents state that Katherine Jackson "intends to marshal assets of the decedent for the exclusive use of the decedent's three children -- her grandchildren -- after payment of debts and expenses of administration."

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff, who has already granted her request to assume temporary guardianship of her son's children, scheduled hearings for July 6 and Aug. 3 to take up the matters, including whether to approve her request to become permanent guardian of the children.

Also on Monday, investigators with the Los Angeles County Coroner's office emerged from Michael Jackson's rented home bearing two large plastic bags, possibly containing medications, the latest move in an investigation that may continue for several weeks.

Jackson, 50, died after suffering cardiac arrest Thursday at UCLA Medical Center, although questions remain about what part prescription drugs may have played in his demise.

As Jackson's family takes the first steps to lay claim to the sprawling estate and seemingly parentless children he left behind, it seems clear that the pop icon's sudden death will be no less complicated than his troubled life.

The funeral

Joe Jackson spoke at the Jackson family's home in Encino, Calif., yesterday and said his son's funeral would not be closed to the public. But he also said no funeral will take place until results from a privately ordered autopsy become available.

"We're not ready for that yet, because we're trying to wait on something else," Joe Jackson said, according to MyFoxLA, the Web site of a Los Angeles-based television station. "We're searching to see what happened to Michael," he added. "We don't have the time frame yet 'cuz I want to see how the autopsy's coming out, you know, the second autopsy."

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who flew in from Atlanta on Sunday to discuss with the Jacksons a possible worldwide celebration of the singer, said: "It is the determination of the family to be careful and deliberate on how they plan his celebration of life, because we're talking about a historic figure that really changed pop culture around the world."

The will

Jackson's parents believe he died without a valid will, according to a court filing. But the Web site TMZ.com claimed that Jackson's onetime lawyer, John Branca, was rehired by the singer about three weeks ago and holds a will signed by the late superstar.

Specifics of the alleged will have not been revealed, but Branca reportedly intends to file it within 30 days.

The case

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said his team entered the home to retrieve medications because of information developed by a police investigation, along with questions the coroner's office had. Winter wouldn't say what type of medications, or how much, were retrieved, nor would he identify where in the home they were found. But he did say the investigation would continue for four or five weeks.

The images

A gaunt but smiling Jackson can be seen in a series of pictures taken at Los Angeles' Staples Center during a rehearsal for the singer's ambitious run of 50 concerts -- dubbed "This Is It!" -- that were scheduled at London's O2 Arena.

The photos, taken by Kevin Mazur on behalf of AEG Live, provide hints of an elaborate, career-spanning show that reportedly would have included more than two dozen sets, numerous costume changes, pyrotechnics and 20-foot-tall puppets.

News also surfaced of a five-week video shoot, called "Dome Project," that Jackson completed two weeks before his death.

The video reportedly features four sets -- including a cemetery recalling the "Thriller" video -- and is said to be in postproduction with a release date of July 15.

source:Fox43