RSS
Home
Michael Jackson's will not the last word on Beatles and ex-wife
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Michael Jackson's will as filed is surprising news to some fans for it cuts ex-wife Debbie Rowe out of the deceased millionaire's estate completely even though Rowe is the mother of Jackson’s two oldest kids. In his five-page legal document, Jackson writes that he has “intentionally omitted” Ms. Rowe, the Associated Press reports. Another important question about the Michael Jackson will remains and that is who gets the rights to the Beatles music that Michael Jackson owns?
(Learn more about Jackson's efforts to make the Beatles catalog available digitally at CNET.)
A January 2009 UK Daily Mirror article suggests that Paul McCartney will gain control of the band’s music even though the current will states otherwise. Michael Jackson’s will as filed is dated July 7, 2002. In it, Katherine Jackson, Jackson's mother, fares much better than Rowe with the Michael Jackson Family Trust. She is named both the beneficiary of the trust (including the Beatles catalog) and legal guardian of Jackson's three kids.
Incidentally, Diana Ross, rather than Debbie Rowe, is named the beneficiary and legal guardian should Mrs. Jackson die. Jackson's estate is valued at over $500 million dollars and legal battles are expected.
Another twist is that other versions of Michael Jackson's will may exist.
L. Londell McMillan, the family attorney, said: "My clients are now aware after filings that a will has been presented. His various advisers are looking for additional documents, reports The Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Katherine Jackson’s lawyers filed papers in a Los Angeles court on Monday “requesting that she be given control of Mr. Jackson’s financial accounts, his real estate holdings and his stake in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog, which includes works of the Beatles,” reports the New York Times.
As for who gains the right to the Beatles collection ...
It was reported last week that Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, a venture owned by Michael Jackson and Sony Corp., will keep control of Beatles songs, an unnamed source said of the Lennon and McCartney catalog. – Bloomberg
Yet, the U.K.’s Daily Mirror reported that Michael Jackson planned to leave the Beatles catelog rights to Sir Paul McCartney. A gesture designed to help heal a rift between the two singers who haven’t spoken since the '80s, when the two stars performed together.
Incidentally, Jackson had outbid John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono in 1985 to the tune of $47.5 million for the ATV Beatles catalog.
Michael Jackson died on Thursday with his cause of death to be determined.
The legal battles over the half-billion dollar estate are expected to continue for some time, to include Debbie Rowe, if not McCartney, who may contest the contents of Michael Jackson's will.
A layman's explanation on what the publisher's rights are concerning the Beatles songs is offered here.
Related content:
Propofol (Diprivan) found in Jackson's home, overdose update
Breaking: Michael Jackson cause of death report
Michael Jackson 'overdose,' Elvis redux
Update: Michael Jackson died, buzz continues
Latest coverage on Michael Jackson at Examiner
Related Articles:
Comments
