It is customary to ask potential guardians if they would consider being guardians prior to stating so in a will. Generally, you don’t spring that on someone after the fact because if they can’t or won’t then what? The executor is the individual who carries out the instructions in your will. This is not an honorary role. The role of an executor of a will gathers all your assets; prepares an inventory for the probate court: completes paperwork to change the title of assets from the decedent to the estate; files periodic reports to the probate court; pays all your debts and taxes; defends your estate against any lawsuits or other difficulties; and distributes your assets as you direct in your will. The executor is also paid to do this out of the assets.

After all the debts are paid and it’s determined how much $$ is left, could be a reason for Debbie to pursue her rights as the biological mother. Money talks and she would gain financially to ensure that the children are brought up in the manner and style they have become accustomer to. Though Debbie Rowe is an ex-wife and gave up her rights to the children, she could say she was co-erced and did not fully comprehend the implications, or was in a financial bind and felt desperate so she felt she had no choice but to consent to giving up her rights to her biological kids. It’s also a case of the power of the rich with their fancy lawyers and not having the means to fight that. The primary concern for the court is the welfare of minor children. A case could be made that MJ got screwed up being brought up at that home shared by Katherine & Joe and that Katherine didn’t protect her children from Joe and considering that Katherine & Joe are not divorced could also come into play. The court considers biological parents. How many times couples “hire” surrogates or go through the adoption process and then the mother changes her mind even after the fact, and the child is returned to the biological mother. The only reason that MJ married her is that he, being the husband, could state his claim to children born during the marriage. The biggest plus for her is that MJ was not their biological father. I bet an argument can be made that she was so desperate for money and/or didn’t understand the implications, etc., would weight heavily on the court. The court might look at that fact to determine the best interests of minor children considering that MJ got so “weird” and a case can be made that he really wasn’t of sound mind when he wrote that will. That’s a big factor when writing a will – the “sound mind” thing. It could still be a factor though. Wills are not iron clad. There is no doubt that MJ was weird that’s for sure. The biggest factor against Katherine if Rowe contests, is that she is not their biological grandmother.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jck_nM_1wPg

Watch all of it and when you are done watch more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6IzRz1pD6M

‘He really never came to terms with the fact the boys fired him as their manager, also in 1984.’ 

Regardless, perhaps there was still a father/son love between Joe and Michael and that Michael actually did care for his father? See this pic from 2005 and notice their hands:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7181495/
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He has said in an Oprah interview that he loves his father and forgives him. He also said that he doesn’t know him. Well I don’t blame him for not knowing him. I mean his father wanted him to call him Joseph. So there is a little disconnect there.

avender1960 Jul 2nd, 2009 at 7:10 am

That is the one thing I don’t understand, why the need to specify that he leaves nothing to Debbie Rowe in the will anyway – they are not married anymore and he has full custody of the children so she has no legal entitlement from what I can see. Seems kind of cold.

Estate attorneys say it is not meant to be cold but it is common to clearly state that you have not overlooked an ex, you are just specifically not leaving them anything. It is something that’s done to avoid confusion. The one that I saw on the news said it is not meant as a public nose thumbing to the ex. Just clarity.

It was probably necessary to mention Debbie’s name in the will so that her potential lawyers couldn’t later say it was an oversight on his part to leave her out. It had to be spelled out in black and white so that his intention was known.

Whereas he didn’t mention Joe or his siblings, perhaps in order not to cause hurt feelings, and perhaps they are taken care of elsewhere in the trust provisions.

I agree it seems like a thoughtful will, except for the parties named as guardians being so elderly. Perhaps they, in their wisdom, will name guardians in case of their own deaths.

Maybe Ringling Bros. are renting out the 3 Ring and sideshows for this other type of circus. I’m having bizarre mental images of all the lawyers, hangers on, paparazzi, etc. emerging from clown cars. My sympathies to those who will have to clean up the elephant sized poop when it’s all over.

Regardless, perhaps there was still a father/son love between Joe and Michael and that Michael actually did care for his father? See this pic from 2005 and notice their hands:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7181495/

Also, Michael was certainly old enough if he wanted to disown or distance himself from Joe yet he chose to name both of his son’s middle names after his father:

Michael “Joseph” Jackson, Jr. and Prince Michael “Joseph” Jackson II. Although the boys are Jr. and the “second”, he didn’t have to leave in his father’s name. JMO.

That is the one thing I don’t understand, why the need to specify that he leaves nothing to Debbie Rowe in the will anyway – they are not married anymore and he has full custody of the children so she has no legal entitlement from what I can see. Seems kind of cold.

From watching coverage last night they said there could be a couple of reasons.

1) The she is provided for in the trust that is set up and details of a trust are not allowed to be made public

2) That she was already well provided for when they divorced and that in specifying he is leaving nothing more to her, he is indicating that he didn’t forget about her so that can’t be a reason to contest the will.

I thought they said the circus was going to be at the Staples Center starting on the 6th so how can the service be there at the same time?

That is the one thing I don’t understand, why the need to specify that he leaves nothing to Debbie Rowe in the will anyway – they are not married anymore and he has full custody of the children so she has no legal entitlement from what I can see. Seems kind of cold.

I’m guessing that it was on advice of his attorney(s).

As an aside…My husband was an acquaintance of Germaine and Tito…he lived around the corner from the current “Compound” and remembers that Joe was a real asshole! One day, the older boys threw Michael into the pool and Joe really gave him (Michael) crap because he had a rehearsal later that day. Needless to say, my hubby was quite taken aback by Joe’s actions and would never go to their home again unless Joe was away.

I get the feeling that the Jackson children have learned that the best thing to do with Joe is to give him enough rope so that he can ‘hang’  himself. And he always does a grand old job. Katherine and Joe have lived pretty seperate lives since she found out about his ‘on the road’  affairs in 1984.

Well I know he completely creeped me out during that red carpet interview. Ugh! I have heard they are separated, so hopefully she can keep him away as much as needed.

^^^It’s nice to hear that Michael seemed to be a good father.