Who Will Get Custody of Michael Jackson's Children?
Matt Lauer of The Today Show examines the question of who will get custody of Michael Jackson's children, Prince Michael, 12, Prince Michael II (better known as Blanket), 7, and Paris Katherine, 11.
The California courts will have the last say on who gets custody, even if Michael named a guardian in a will. One of Michael's own attorneys told TMZ that Debbie Rowe's parental rights have not been terminated, which makes her the presumptive custodian (Debbie is the biological mother of Prince I and Paris). But if the court thinks that is not in the best interest in the children, it can award custody to someone else, such as Michael's parents Joe and Katherine, although Katherine is almost 80 years old and reportedly not in good health and Joe was accused by Michael many times of physically abusing him when he was a child.
Michael does have other siblings, such as Janet, who are stable and would have the resources to care for the children. Reports say that the three children are devastated by their father's death and are currently staying with Katherine and Joe Jackson, and their nanny Grace Rwaramba.
The L.A. Timessays that an appellate court has ruled previously that Debbie Rowe is the legal parent of Prince I and Paris. USC Law Professor Scott Altman said "When a child has two legal parents and one of them dies, the other takes custody." Another USC Law Professor, Grace Blumberg, said that she expects Debbie Rowe to be granted custody, even if Michael Jackson designated someone else as guardian. Professor Blumberg also says that if Blanket's European biological mother comes forward, she would have a claim because many European courts do not recognize surrogacy agreements.
One thing is for sure: it's going to a very nasty custody battle.
