Michael Jackson's kids: Where will yours go if you die?
AP is reporting that Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, has filed for guardianship of the late singer's three children. The biological mother of two of them, Debbie Rowe, may want her children back, though, and the mother of his third -- who hasn't been publicly identified -- may surface as well.
This line from the story leapt out at me: "If he did indicate a preference, that will be given great weight, but that will not be determinative," said Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred. "Children are not property, they cannot be willed to another person."
I'm not sure what directions Jackson left behind, or how legally binding they were -- apparently his affairs will take a while to sort out. In the meantime, though, his death should remind those of us of more modest means that we should take steps now to plan for our children's care if the unthinkable happened. This primer from NPR lays out some of the issues and steps to take when you are planning for your children.
UPDATE: Katherine Jackson was awarded temporary guardianship of the children by a judge today.
(AP Photo/Robyn Beck, 2005)
Comments
I refused to join my husband on a trip to Hawaii until we had made out a will with provisions for guardianship.
My sister once got a call from a cousin informing her that if anything happened to them, she would be the guardian of her two children--"but don't worry, we're driving carefully!" It would have been nice if she had asked first.
Posted by: Dahlink | June 29, 2009 4:52 PM
LOL...from the time our son was, maybe, 13 or so, I used to tell him, "If anything happens to your mom and I, you are going to have to take care of your aunts." (My sisters.)
Posted by: Bucky | June 30, 2009 9:21 AM