Judge rules against Jacko’s mother in battle for control over superstar’s estate

A Los Angeles judge has denied Katherine Jackson’s petition for control over her late son’s estate – ruling in favour of Jackson’s long-time lawyer and a family friend.

At the Los Angeles Superior Court today, Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain should be the conservators of Jackson’s estate.

The superstar’s mother, who did not appear at the hearing, had filed an application to be the conservator of the pop legend’s estate before a will emerged, which was drafted in 2002, stating that Branca and McClain would be in control of the estate in the event of Jackson’s death.

Lawyers for Katherine Jackson wanted Judge Beckloff to delay the decision, as they said the family were concerned about Branca’s relationship with the singer before he died.

One of Katherine Jackson’s lawyers, John Schreiber, argued that he was suspicious that Branca had rejoined Jackson just weeks before the singer’s death, and claimed that Branca is unfit to look after the estate – which is estimated to be worth around $500m – because he suffers from a disability.

But Judge Beckloff refused Schrieber’s claims and ruled in favour of Jackson’s will.

A bond has been set at $1m to protect the estate in the event the administrators waste or misspend assets.

Source: Splash News