BLOG: John-Paul Dennis says things could get ugly over Michael Jackson's will

By Ben Schofield on Jul 2, 09 04:18 PM

THE JACKSON family are world famous for their music, but it's Michael Jackson's lawsuits and civil litigation claims which have kept them in the spotlight in recent years.

A few days ago there was speculation that Michael Jackson hadn't written a will and his parents made a quick application to get control over his estate.

However, Michael Jackson's lawyer, John Branca holds a will that appoints himself and John McCain, a music executive, as co-executors of Michael Jackson's estate.

His parents are furious and things could get very ugly, very quickly.

Michael's ex-wife surrendered her paternal rights in 2004. Any challenge for guardianship of her children will be difficult as Michael has appointed his mother as guardian of his three children.

If there's disharmony within the family it's important to leave a properly drafted will and people with young children should appoint a guardian.

It is likely that Michael Jackson's parents will bring a claim against the estate and seek the removal of Branca and McCain, especially as his father was cut out of the will completely.

The will leaves the estate to the Michael Jackson Trust for his children. However, ultimately the fate of the trust fund and to whom it is paid out is in the hands of Branca and McCain.

Paul Dennis is a solicitor at Kirwans