By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
AP Music Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Michael Jackson's mother, having won temporary guardianship of her late son's three children, is now attempting to take control of the King of Pop's estate, according to a person close to the court proceedings.
Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff granted Katherine Jackson temporary guardianship of the children on Monday. He also scheduled a hearing for Aug. 3 on Jackson's petition to become permanent guardian of her son's children.
The petition also seeks to name Jackson as administrator of the children's estates, but the judge did not grant that request.
Katherine Jackson filed another court action Monday, seeking to take control of her son's estate, according to a person close to the proceedings who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and requested anonymity. She is taking that action with the intent of protecting Jackson's legacy, the person said.
Jackson left behind three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7. The youngest son was born to a surrogate mother.
In the request to take over the children's estate, Jackson, 79, lists its value as "unknown."
The filing lists the children as living at the Jacksons' family compound in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.
"Minor children are currently residing with paternal grandmother," the filing states in an explanation of why Katherine Jackson should be appointed guardian. "They have a long established relationship with paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care."
The filings provide no other declarations by Katherine Jackson, nor do they state whether Michael Jackson left a will.
The filings note that Deborah Rowe is the mother of Jackson's two eldest children, but list her whereabouts as "unknown." An e-mail message sent to Rowe's attorney seeking comment wasn't immediately returned Monday morning.
For Michael Jackson's third child, nicknamed as Blanket, the filing states "None" for the mother.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
