Jackson Memorial -- Live on My9TV.com

July 6, 2009 -- An attorney for Debbie Rowe says Michael
Jackson's ex-wife is backing out of plans to attend the pop
superstar's memorial service.
Rowe, the mother of Jackson's two oldest children, had
originally planned to attend Tuesday's memorial service at the
Staples Center.
But Rowe attorney Marta Almli said Monday her attendance would
be "an unnecessary distraction" and that Rowe will "celebrate
Michael's memory privately."
Meanwhile, a judge said Monday that Michael Jackson's
longtime attorney and a family friend should take over the pop
singer's estate for now, rejecting a request from Jackson's mother
to be put in charge.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff backed
attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, who had been
designated in Jackson's 2002 will as the people he wanted to
administer his estate. Attorneys for the pop singer's mother
repeatedly objected to their appointment at Monday's court hearing.
Jackson died June 25, deeply in debt. But a court filing
estimates that his estate will be worth more than $500 million. His
assets are destined for a private trust.
The singer's mother, Katherine Jackson, had applied to oversee
her son's estate, but that was before the will surfaced. Her
attorney, Burt Levitch, expressed concerns about McClain and
Branca's financial leadership.
Levitch told Beckloff that Branca had previously been removed
from financial positions of authority by Jackson. Branca's attorney
says he was rehired by Jackson on June 17, days before Jackson's
death.
Katherine Jackson did not appear at Monday's hearing. Branca did
attend.
Levitch said it was unclear whether McClain would serve as an
administrator because he was of ailing health. Attorneys for
McClain and Branca described him as having a physical disability
but having a completely sound mind. They also noted a decades-long
relationship with the Jackson family.
Branca and McClain will have to post a $1 million bond on the
estate, Beckloff ruled. Their authority over the estate will expire
Aug. 3, when another hearing on the estate will be held.
"Mr. Branca and Mr. McClain for the next month are at the helm
of the ship," Beckloff said.
Katherine Jackson's attorneys had asked that she be appointed to
serve as a co-administrator with Branca and McClain. Beckloff
refused to grant that request.
The judge granted Branca and McClain several powers over the
estate, including the rights to negotiate a settlement with concert
promoter AEG Live over refunds for Jackson's canceled London shows.
Beckloff stressed that Katherine Jackson should be given complete
information about major transactions, but that he as the judge
would grant final approval.
John E. Schreiber, an attorney for Katherine Jackson, said,
"Frankly, Mrs. Jackson has concerns about handing over the keys to
the kingdom."
Paul Gordon Hoffman, an attorney for Branca and McClain, said
some of Katherine Jackson's concerns were unfounded.
"We're not aware of any real conflicts at all," he said in
response to a claim that the men may have business dealings with
parties such as concert promoter AEG Live.
In contrast, Hoffman said Jackson's mother had more of a
potential conflict administering the estate because she is a likely
beneficiary.
"If there are any conflicts by the parties, Katherine Jackson
rather than Mr. McClain and Mr. Branca have them," Hoffman said.
Beckloff noted the contentious relationship brewing between
Katherine Jackson and Branca, who personally delivered the will to
the family's home a week ago.
"We're getting off to a bit of a rocky start here out of the
gate," Beckloff said toward the end of Monday's hearing.
A public memorial has been scheduled for Jackson in downtown Los
Angeles on Tuesday. More than 1.6 million people registered to win
the coveted free tickets, and only 8,750 names were chosen.
Los Angeles officials are concerned about other fans clogging
city streets
Downtown hotels were quickly filling Monday, and police warned
those without tickets to the memorial to stay away.