The Jackson family lawyer announced today (TUESDAY) that a will has surfaced and will be presented in court soon. This comes a day after the pop icon’s mother petitioned the Superior Court of CALIFORNIA to be named the administrator of the late singer’s estate.
“My clients are now aware after filings that a will has been presented ,” said L. Londell McMillan. “His various advisers are looking for additional documents.”
Yet, no specifics on the will or details have been disclosed. The very existence of a will and the appointment of an executor now complicates Mother Jackson’s request.
“If there is a will and if the will is a valid will, the whole petition to be named administrator will just fall way,” Novogrod said.
KATHERINE JACKSON said in the filing she was acting to ensure MICHAEL JACKSON’s three children are the beneficiaries. It’s the beginning of a complicated battle for a fortune that includes a lucrative music catalog of the KING OF POP’s own hits, the rights to songs by THE BEATLES, and the Neverland ranch that could one day be a tourist attraction. There’s even an elaborate video production, dubbed the “Dome Project,” that was overseen by JACKSON and finished two weeks before he died.
All this absolutely means a elongated, brutal estate war much like Michael’s mentor and inspiration, the late James Brown.
The Jackson’s could challenge the will on the grounds that their son was incompetent, did not understand it when it was created or that he was unduly influenced.
“There’s no doubt that there’s going to be a big battle,” said ALEXIS MARTIN NEELY, a LOS ANGELES-based estate attorney. “It’s going to be very messy and I don’t see anything comparing to this.”
To make matters worse, few people know all the details of the reclusive entertainer’s financial affairs. His mother’s filing, for example, declares that JACKSON died “intestate,” or without a will. But that is currently in dispute.
the worlds best entertainers and close friends miss mike
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Lisa Marie Presley, who was married to Jackson from 1994 to 1996, says, “I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”
“I can’t stop crying over the sad news,” Madonna told People. “I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”
“I’m hurt,” Lupe Fiasco told MTV News in a statement. “But I’m celebrating his life and his music. Dancing and crying and dancing in public. Holding heart-to-heart conversations with complete strangers about one of the things, if not the only thing, we share in common, That Is The Legendary MoonWalker Himself. A white guy in a pickup truck pulled alongside me on the expressway and shouted to me, had I heard about Mike?!? It’s surreal and it’s everywhere!!! Every time I feel like getting sad, one of his songs comes on, and I’m just filled with happiness and start singing and smiling. He was the best to ever do it. Salaams, Peace & Blessings. May Allah have mercy on his soul. We Love You MJ!!!”
“We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music but of all music,” Justin Timberlake, who was clearly influenced by Jackson, wrote on his Web site. “He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”
In a long, heartfelt statement, Usher said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss and paid tribute to Jackson’s legacy. “May God cover you Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire Jackson family particularly Michael’s mother, children and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael. I have great admiration and respect for him and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer, who in so many ways, transcended the culture. He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten.”
“He was magic,” said Beyoncé Knowles. He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the King of Pop!”
In a statement Thursday afternoon Britney Spears said, “I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone!”
Whitney Houston eleased a statement saying simply, “I am full of grief.”
Paul McCartney, who collaborated with Jackson at the height of his success, writes on his Web site: “I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented… man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones.”
Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson’s closest and longstanding friends, was “too devastated” to issue a statement,” her rep says.
Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson’s biggest hits, says, “I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words.”
Cher, calling in to Larry King Live on CNN, shared many memories of Jackson, including dancing together on the Queen Mary and seeing the musical Dreamgirlstogether. “I am having a million reactions,” said Cher. “When I think of him, I think of this young boy, this teenager I first met … He was a great teenager, optimistic and adorable.”
“My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael,” adds Brooke Shields, who raised eyebrows when she briefly dated Jackson. “He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.”
Oscar winner Jane Fonda used Twitter to express her grief, writing, “I am stunned. My friend, Michael Jackson is dead. He lived with me for a week on the Golden Pond set after ‘Thriller.’ “
On his Web site, former child actor Corey Feldman, who was once very close friends with Jackson, posted a statement mourning his old pal. “I come to you today with great sadness, acknowledging the loss of the greatest entertainer in the history of mankind. For me he was more than that, he was my idol, he was a role model, he was someone to cry to when my childhood was unbearable, he was a brother, he was a dear friend,” Feldman writes.
“Unfortunately Michael and I had a falling out on September 10th 2001 and that broken friendship had never been repaired,” he adds. “I am filled with tremendous sadness and remorse. All I choose to remember from this point is the good times we shared and what an inspiration he was to me and the rest of the world. Nobody will ever be able to do what Michael Jackson has done in this industry, and he was so close to doing it all again. I am truly, and deeply sorry for all of the heartbroken fans and supporters worldwide.”