Poll: Who Should Get Custody of Michael Jackson's Children?
Update: On Monday, June 29, 2009, Katherine Jackson was granted temporary custody of all three children.
I'm sure by now that we all have opinions about who should up end up with custody of Michael Jackson's three children. However, there are no easy answers in this sad situation.
My best guess is that they will stay with members of the Jackson family. In fact, TMZ is reporting that the children have already expressed a desire to stay with their grandmother, Katherine Jackson.
It's possible, though, that Prince Michael I and Paris will eventually live with their birth mother, Debbie Rowe, who at one time tried unsuccessfully to sever her parental rights because she claimed Michael was the better parent. However, that would presumably mean that separate arrangements would have to be made for Jackson's third child, Prince Michael II, who was borne to an unknown surrogate mother.
My guess is that (a) no one is going to want to separate the three children, and (b) surely Michael Jackson would have named a guardian for his children in a will or legal document. And given how ultra-protective--and even controlling--he appeared to be about the children, and the fact that Rowe did not regularly exercise her visitation rights, I'd be surprised if Jackson and Rowe made prior arrangements for them to be returned to her custody, in the event of his death.
However, if they either didn't make an arrangement, or if Rowe or members of the Jackson family now contest the arrangement that was decided on, they will likely end up fighting it out in court. Sadly, given the notoriety of the Jackson family, and Rowe's apparent infrequent involvement in the children's lives, a high-conflict custody battle may be inevitable.
For now, share your thoughts on the matter by leaving a comment below or participating in the poll, "Who do you think should end up with custody of Michael Jackson's three children?"
And regardless of how this situation plays out over the next few months and years, I hope that any resulting controversy serves as a reminder to every single parent that now is the time to formally establish a legal guardian for your children, in the event that you were ever to become permanently or temporarily unable to care for them.
More on the Michael Jackson Custody Controversy:
There are two reasons why Katherine Jackson should not receive custody. She is too elderly and would be quite likely not to live long enough to see the youngest child to adulthood. Secondly, she remains married to Joe Jackson, whose violent child-rearing methods left such emotional scars on his son. The children should go to their nanny, Grace, who has looked after them since infancy & with whom they have the closest emotional bond.
See article, “Who Will Get Custody of Michael Jackson’s Children?” by California Certified Family Law Specialist Marshall Waller at http://www.TheCaliforniaFamilyLawBlog.com.
The only family children have known, has been Michael and his family. They have now lost their father, it would be a shame if they loose the only other family they’ve ever known. It was clear by the images from the memorial service that the children have a close relationship with their uncles, aunts and cousins. The stability they’ve known for years should not be taken from them. However, their mother should be given all oppurtunity to create a relationship with her children, but not granted custody.
after watching the MJ memorial service, the children have shown a complete bond with Michaels family, especially Janet.
they have to stay with the family.
where is Grace Rwaramba?
after watching the MJ memorial service and seeing the relationship between the kids and Michael’s family, there is no question that that’s where they should remain.
what happened to Grace?
Rowe is never Michael real wife, they never have sex and they married to produce legal children. Rowe and Michael had a contract about the children and Rowe gave up custory the children for a fat check, she never wants the children, if she want the children now becuase the money go along with the children. her lawyer said she not sure if she want her children because they want to have time to estimate Michael’s estate. If she loves the children she does not have to think about it. Furthermore, she wants to make a lot of noise so Jackson give her a nother fat check to give up her children the second times. She is a bad woman!!
I strongly feel that Janet Jackson should raise all three of Michael’s children. She has always been grounded, loves her family especially the relationship with Michael and she is finacially stable and emotionally stable to provide a wonderful home for them. The feel the children will be ok woth Katherine but not with Joe because he proved his actions on BET red carpet awards. My heart goes to these children and Janet.
I strongly feel that the Children should be looked after by one person, the mother to the two children should not take them coz that will separate the children that have always been looked after by their father as one family, MJ’s dream was to raise his children as one and i understand why the older children were not told who their mother was.
Janet jackson, 100%, Paris already loves her, she has no kids of her own, she has been in the kids life, she loves them, she is in a better position to carry on the family legacy Micheal started.She is financially stable.The kids could not ask for a better mom.
The kids should go to Janet… No question.. Janet if still young, she is stable both financially and mentally, she has a real connection and love for MJs kids, she can provide stability, privacy and a better future for the kids… The kids, all of them, should be given, raised and loved by the best choice,,, Janet Jackson….
I agree that, just from what I’ve seen so far, there’s an obvious connection between the kids and Janet. I think, too, that being w/ their extended family will provide a sense “normalcy” for the kids, which is so important right now.
It’s obvious that all three children should be primarily raised by Auntie Janet, supported by their Grandmother Katherine, and they should keep the familiar nanny that they have bonded with. Rowe wasn’t interested in the children before Michael passed on, so why is she so interested now? Joe Jackson should be kept away from children, period.
Auntie Janet was such a solid, positive, strong adult for the little ones during the memorial service. Not sure she wants the responsibility, but Janet Jackson would make a wonderful parent for the children. On the other hand, Joe Jackson creeps me out, the way he keeps saying little Blanket is a great dancer. I’m sure if Katherine got the kids, Joe would waste no time moving back in and pushing them into show business, which is the opposite of what Michael would want for them. So I hope Katherine doesn’t get the kids. If Janet doesn’t get them, Diana Ross should get them.
i think one of the siblings of the jackson family should get them, they shouldnt go to katherine because of joe plus michael wouldnt have wanted joe near them. Diana ross is not family so they should stay within family.. and DEBBIE ROWE should not get them all shes interested in is money! i think Janet or LaToya should take them as it was clear at the memorial that the kids especially paris have a special bond with both sisters, if not rebbie or jermaine, or another sibling
MJ’s kids should stay with the Jacksons. That was his desire and he was a devoted father to his three children. The courts should honor his wishes.
Janet, with help of katherine….
Perhaps Janet is indeed the best choice–but the older children are old enough to have a say in the matter, and their wishes should carry great weight in the decision.
Debbie Rowe for the following reasons. She’s the mother plain and simple and it’s a known fact that children that are not raised by their mother or father feel abandonment issues throughout their life. There is still time to reverse what happened. Debbie didn’t have the money to fight Michael in a custody battle. It was a losing battle for her. When Michael was accused of child molestation she again fought for custody. This time she had a little more money, but not all that Michael promised her. He kept her in a financial cocoon. She did not relinquish her rights to the children because it was not fully completed and exhausted by law.
Michael could not sustain an adult relationship because he was immature, thus he could only sustain a relationship with his young children. He did an excellent job as evidenced by the children.
Katherine Jackson and Diana Ross are too old to raise the children. There is too much greed and instability in the Jackson family. The children will be ruined.
Michael was too drugged out to make a good decision regarding custody of his children. He based his decision on emotions and not what was good for the children. He had no feelings for Debbie, thus she was never considered for custody of children that are not biologically his. And keep all 3 of the children together.
I say Debbie Rowe. Give the mother back her children. She has suffered enough.