Katherine, TJ Jackson to Request Joint Guardianship
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Dave J Hogan/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — It looks like Katherine Jackson may get a little help taking care of the grandkids.
A statement released Friday by the Jackson family matriarch’s attorney, Perry R. Sanders, declares that early next week, Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson’s children — Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II — will file a modified pleading with the court that, if approved, will reinstate their grandmother as their guardian, and also appoint TJ Jackson as co-guardian.
Friday’s statement from Sanders asserts that the planned pleading “will essentially now legally reflect how Mrs. Jackson and TJ have often shared responsibilities of raising the children since Michael Jackson’s tragic passing,” and 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.”
However, a source close to the proceedings tells ABC News the arrangement will be slightly different than the statement declares. “The request, if granted, will continue the judge’s current, temporary order that all staffing and security matters will be TJ’s responsibility. All other decisions of day-to-day duties will be joint, with the caveat that the family allowance will continue to be paid through Mrs. Jackson,” says the source.
The statement continues, “Mrs. Jackson will then be freed up to 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.”
On Wednesday, a Los Angeles judge appointed TJ Jackson, the 34-year-old son of Tito Jackson, as the grandchildren’s temporary guardian. The move was prompted by 82-year-old Katherine Jackson’s recent long absence as she stayed in Tucson, Arizona, during which time she reportedly had no contact with her grandchildren. She later claimed she was taking a break and had voluntarily cut off communication.
“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,” the statement declares. “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.”
Friday’s statement notes that the court-appointed legal representative for Paris, Prince Michael and Prince Michael II confirmed that the proposed change in guardianship reflects the children’s wishes.
Late Friday morning, TJ Jackson’s attorney filed a petition for TJ to be appointed the permanent guardian for Michael Jackson’s kids. The filing was mandated by the court during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Also Friday, Judge Mitchell Beckloff, who presided at last Wednesday’s guardianship hearing, ordered a probate court investigator to interview Michael Jackson’s children and report to the court on their status, as well as that of Katherine Jackson as their guardian.
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