Michael Jackson's mum and his ex-wife are set to launch into a bitter fight for custody of his children.
Jacko's elderly mum Katherine was looking after Prince Michael Jnr, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II in Los Angeles. And Jackson family lawyer Brian Oxman said Katherine would probably care for them long-term. He added: "She loves them dearly."
But ex-wife Debbie Rowe, mother of Prince Jnr and Paris, told a friend she wanted full custody of the youngsters - just two days before Jackson's death. The friend revealed: "Debbie threw a fit, saying she was sick of the way Michael was bringing the children up. "She said she was going to go for full custody of them. She said she was quite prepared to go all the way and fight him in court for it." Sources close to the Jackson family say Katherine will "fight tooth and nail" to stop Debbie getting the youngsters. They claim the former dental nurse signed away her parental rights in return for a house and a multi-million dollar lump sum.
Debbie's friend said: "She understands there will be a vicious legal battle and she knows Michael's mother will not readily hand the kids over to her. But she is their natural mother and will do whatever it takes to get them back." Michael Jnr and Paris were born during Debbie's three-year marriage to Jacko in the 1990s. Prince Michael II was born later to a surrogate mother.
Debbie originally signed an agreement with Jacko handing him custody of the kids in 1999. In return she was given about $1 million a year for nine years, plus a house in Beverly Hills and a car. Under California law, Debbie is now presumed to be the person who gets custody of the children, and can only be denied if a court determines it would be "detrimental to the children".
