It’s a big win for Michael Jackson’s kids. Their grandmother, Katherine, has agreed to let her grandson, TJ, be the co guardian of Paris, Prince and Blanket. It’s a loss for the Randy-Jermaine-Janet-Rebbie group that spirited Mrs. Jackson to Arizona, released the letter about overturning Michael’s executors, and frightened the kids with thoughts that Mrs. Jackson is or was will. Now at 82 she doesn’t have to deal with day to day problems. A lot of responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of 34 year old TJ. Isn’t it interesting that not one of Michael Jackson’s many siblings ever stepped forward to be a parent to those kids, or to be there as a successor guardian? After what they’ve done, it’s unlikely the kids will ever speak to them again.
Statement from Perry Sanders, attorney for Katherine Jackson:
Later this morning, T J Jackson’s attorney, Charles Shultz, will be filing a petition for TJ to be appointed permanent guardian of Michael Jackson’s three children. The court ordered that this petition be filed pursuant to the temporary guardianship he granted TJ on Wednesday of this week. However, after a very productive meeting yesterday, first between Mrs. Jackson and me, and then joined by Prince Jackson, TJ Jackson and Mr. Shultz, it was agreed by all that it is in the best interest of Mrs. Jackson and the children to file a modified joint pleading at the beginning of next week.
With some changes, that pleading will essentially now legally reflect how Mrs. Jackson and TJ have often shared responsibilites of raising the children since Michael Jackson’s tragic passing. Following reaching agreement, Margaret Lodise, the court appointed guardian ad litem for the children, was brought into the meeting by conference call. Ms. Lodise confirmed with Prince that the agreement reflected the wishes of all the children. The joint filing will request that the court reinstate Mrs. Jackson and appoint TJ as a co-guardian of Michael’s children. If the court grants this joint request, it will eliminate concerns such as the ones triggered by the events of the last few days. It will also empower TJ to take joint legal responsibility for certain day to day duties such as the management of household personnel, including security. It will also make clear for school personnel and anyone else coming into contact with the children that TJ is authorized to act on their behalf.
TJ has frequently attended school conferences and dealt with school related matters and this agreement, if approved by the court, allows for continuity as sanctioned by the court . Mrs. Jackson will then be freed upto focus on the more personal everyday decision making related to the lives and activities of the children. She would also remain in control of the children’s family allowance.
Mrs. Jackson is extremely pleased with the prospect of enjoying the pleasure of raising Michael’s children without the day to day tedium of items such as managing the large staff that goes with such a high profile family and focus her attention on being a grandmother and raising Michael’s children. She greatly appreciates the recent love and concern that supporters have shown for her and the kids, and she hopes the court will grant this request for co-guardianship. She is eager to simply enjoy her great relationship with these children, while deeding over some of the stressors that go hand in hand with being a guardian.
Once the joint filing is made next week, it will be served on all interested parties and the specifics of what is being requested will be spelled out in the public record. Until then, no further official comment about guardianship will be made .
