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Jackson leaves estate to family Jackson leaves estate to family
(about 23 hours later)
Michael Jackson's will has been filed in a Los Angeles court, giving his entire estate to a family trust.Michael Jackson's will has been filed in a Los Angeles court, giving his entire estate to a family trust.
The document, dated 7 July 2002, also reveals the star "intentionally omitted" to provide for his former wife, Debbie Rowe. The document reveals that the star "intentionally omitted" to provide for his former wife, Debbie Rowe.
Jackson's mother, Katherine, is named as a beneficiary of the trust and the guardian of the singer's three young children, who are named in the will. Jackson's long-term friend and singer Diana Ross is named as a guardian for his three children should his mother be unable to take care of them.
It estimated Jackson's estate at that time to be more than $500m (£303m). Meanwhile, figures show Jackson had the three top-selling US albums last week - each shifting more than 100,000 copies.
Custody rightsCustody rights
The Michael Jackson Family Trust would benefit his three children, his mother and unnamed charities, according to Reuters. The star's five-page will is dated 7 July, 2002. It estimates his estate to be worth more than $500m (£303m), and gives it to The Michael Jackson Family Trust.
Katherine Jackson is currently looking after the children The trust will benefit his three children, his mother and unnamed charities.
The news agency also reported that Jackson's five-page will said: "I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Rowe Jackson." OTHER STORIES AND RUMOURS Jackson 'had drug aliases' class="" href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/02/jackson-drug-aliases/">TMZ Geller tells of MJ's drug abuse class="" href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_BRITAIN_MICHAEL_JACKSON_DRUGS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-07-02-07-02-17">AP Funeral snub for Bubbles class="" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2512623/Funeral-snub-for-buddy-Bubbles.html">NME DEA joins investigation class="" href="http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/b132396_drug_enforcement_agents_join_jackson.html">E! Online Funeral set for Staples Center class="" href="http://www.showbiz411.com/michael-jackson-funeral-date-set-at-staples-center">Hollywood Reporter Rowe considers custody bid class="" href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-debbie-rowe2-2009jul02,0,1137159.story">LA Times Friend denies paternity class="" href="http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/people/story/1123889.html">Miami Herald The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
In the will, Jackson states: "I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Rowe Jackson."
Rowe married Jackson in 1996 but filed for divorce in 1999. She gave up custody rights to the children but sought them again in 2003.Rowe married Jackson in 1996 but filed for divorce in 1999. She gave up custody rights to the children but sought them again in 2003.
They agreed a settlement in 2006 but the terms were never disclosed.They agreed a settlement in 2006 but the terms were never disclosed.
She is the biological mother of Jackson's eldest children - Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. The singer's youngest son - seven-year-old Prince Michael II - was born to a surrogate mother whose identity has never been revealed.She is the biological mother of Jackson's eldest children - Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. The singer's youngest son - seven-year-old Prince Michael II - was born to a surrogate mother whose identity has never been revealed.
Long-time friend and singer Diana Ross is also named as guardian for Jackson's children in the event that his mother was unable to fulfil her duties. Katherine Jackson was granted temporary guardianship of Jackson's three children on Monday. A court will ultimately decide who their legal guardian will be.
Katherine Jackson was granted temporary guardianship of Jackson's three children on Monday.
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Media gathered at Neverland ranchMedia gathered at Neverland ranch
'Remarkable legacy''Remarkable legacy'
The will said Jackson's estate consisted almost entirely of "non-cash, non-liquid assets, including primarily an interest in a catalogue of music royalty rights which is currently being administered by Sony ATV, and the interests of various entities".The will said Jackson's estate consisted almost entirely of "non-cash, non-liquid assets, including primarily an interest in a catalogue of music royalty rights which is currently being administered by Sony ATV, and the interests of various entities".
The most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children Executors John Branca and John McClainThe most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children Executors John Branca and John McClain
That refers to the singer's share of the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalogue that includes rights to the songs of The Beatles.That refers to the singer's share of the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalogue that includes rights to the songs of The Beatles.
The will names Jackson's lawyer John Branca and John McClain, a music executive and a family friend, as co-executors of the will.The will names Jackson's lawyer John Branca and John McClain, a music executive and a family friend, as co-executors of the will.
In a statement, Mr Branca and Mr McClain said: "The most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children.In a statement, Mr Branca and Mr McClain said: "The most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children.
"As we work to carry out Michael's instructions to safeguard both the future of his children as well as the remarkable legacy he left us as an artist, we ask that all matters involving his estate be handled with the dignity and the respect that Michael and his family deserve.""As we work to carry out Michael's instructions to safeguard both the future of his children as well as the remarkable legacy he left us as an artist, we ask that all matters involving his estate be handled with the dignity and the respect that Michael and his family deserve."
Meanwhile, the Jackson family issued a statement saying that no "public or private viewing" of the singer's body would be held at Neverland. Katherine Jackson is currently looking after the children
Meanwhile, Nielsen SoundScan, the company that tracks music sales in the US, has revealed that Jackson's Number Ones was the top-selling US album in the week to Sunday, with 108,000 copies.
It was closely followed by Essential Michael Jackson, with 102,000, and Thriller, with 101,000.
There were 2.3 million Michael Jackson tracks downloaded - the first time an artist has sold more than a million digital tracks in a week.
His albums have taken a record nine of the 10 top spots in the Billboard Top Pop Catalog Album chart.
"If anyone can move mountains and shift charts, even in death, it's Michael Jackson," said Keith Caulfield, Billboard magazine's senior chart analyst.
"After the passing of big stars, from Frank Sinatra to Jerry Garcia to George Harrison, the impact was felt on the charts but not to this degree.
"The closest [comparison] might be John Lennon or Elvis Presley, but the impact was spread out because you had to buy a physical album.
"With Michael, the impact was amplified because you could get whatever you wanted immediately online."
In the UK, Jackson's 1988 single Man In The Mirror looks set to go to number one on Sunday, replacing current chart topper Bulletproof by La Roux.
When it was first released, the single only managed to reach number 21.
On Wednesday, the Jackson family issued a statement saying that no "public or private viewing" of the singer's body would be held at Neverland.
Speculation of a viewing had prompted fans and reporters to gather outside the property, but the family said they would announce plans "regarding a public memorial" shortly.Speculation of a viewing had prompted fans and reporters to gather outside the property, but the family said they would announce plans "regarding a public memorial" shortly.
On the latest US Billboard chart, Jackson's music took a record nine of the 10 top spots in its Top Pop Catalog Album chart on Wednesday.