Michael's will: Mother named estate custodian

A 2002 will of Michael Jackson grants the custody of his estate to his mother, Katherine and his three children but excludes his father, according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, pop star's family has not seen the document, the Journal said quoting family lawyer L Londell McMillan.

"No will has been presented to family or us. We will review any will when we see it," McMillan said.

Jackson's former lawyer, John Branca has come out claiming that he has the will. Sources close to the singer said that Branca may submit the will to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.

The will names Branca who was Jackson's lawyer between 1980 and 2002 and veteran music executive John McLain as its executors. Branca also claims that he was rehired by the singer just a week before his death.

The document has reportedly cut out Jackson's 80-year-old father, Joe Jackson, who shared an uneasy relationship with his legendary son.

The 50-year-old star had a troubled childhood and had openly blamed his father for abusing him as a child.

The latest development is expected to cause further confusion over ownership of Jackson's property.

According to the Journal, Jackson left a debt of $500 million but the value of his estate has been estimated at $700 million.

Meanwhile, Jackson's 79-year-old mother Katherine Jackson was granted temporary custody of her three grandchildren in a court hearing. The children will be under the care of Katherine till August 3, after which she will make her case to be their permanent guardian.

Jackson's mother also filed court papers here last night to take control of her son's estate.

The pop star's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, the mother of his two elder children is also expected to claim custody of her children and there is also the possibility that the mother of Jackson's youngest child, Prince Michael II, may emerge to reclaim the boy.

The identity of the surrogate mother of Jackson's third child remains a mystery till now.

The court paper's filed by Katherine list the children as living at the Jacksons' family compound in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

"They have a long established relationship with paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care," it claims.

But, speaking outside a music awards tribute in Los Angeles on Sunday, Joe Jackson had claimed that he was following his son's wishes.

"We have the personal and legal authority to act, and solely Katherine and I have authority for our son and his children," he said.