Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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June 30, 2009

Reports: Michael Jackson Left Behind Will
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'Wall Street Journal' reports will drafted by pop icon in 2002 divides
estate among his mother, three children 
Michael Jackson (Feb 2005 file photo)A published report says the late
singer Michael Jackson drafted a will in 2002 that divides his estate
among his mother and three children. The Wall Street Journal reports
Tuesday a lawyer for the pop icon could file the will in a Los Angeles
courtroom as soon as Thursday, one week after his sudden death at the
age of 50. Jackson's three young children have been living with their
grandmother, Katherine Jackson, since their father's death. A judge in
Los Angeles Monday granted Katherine Jackson temporary guardianship of
12-year-old Prince Michael, 11-year-old Paris Michael Katherine, and
seven-year-old Prince Michael II. A lawyer for Jackson's ex-wife and the
biological mother of the two older children, Deborah Rowe, has issued a
statement through her lawyers, expressing sorrow over Jackson's passing.
Jackson's youngest child was born to an unidentified surrogate mother.
Katherine Jackson was also granted limited control of some property
during Monday's court hearing. In court filings, she expressed concerns
about bank accounts that were under the control of unnamed people or
businesses. A hearing has been set for next week to make a final
decision. News reports say the singer left behind debts totaling as much
as $500 million, but his estate has been estimated at $1 billion or
more. Meanwhile, officials with the Los Angeles County coroner's office
returned to the pop icon's mansion Monday and removed two large bags of
evidence. The coroner's office conducted an autopsy Friday and said
there were no indications of external trauma or foul play. But the
office said it will take weeks for test results to come back and
determine a cause of death. Jackson's family ordered a private, second
autopsy. His father, Joseph Jackson, says a funeral will not be held
until the autopsies are completed. There is speculation painkillers may
have killed the singer, but toxicology tests are not expected to be
completed for several weeks. A lawyer for Jackson's personal physici
an, Dr. Conrad Murray, denies media reports he prescribed painkillers to
the pop icon. Jackson died as he was preparing to launch a series of
sold-out comeback concerts in London next month. 

Check out our Special Report on Michael Jackson

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.