Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine, will be keeping his three kids for the time being.
 
E! Online reports that a judge has just granted the Jackson family matriarch temporary custody of Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket). They’ve been staying with her since Michael’s sudden passing on Thursday afternoon.
 
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge handed down the decision shortly after Katherine filed paperwork. A hearing to determine whether she’ll get permanent custody is set for Monday, August 3.
 
“I don't think there will be anybody who thinks that there would be someone better," said her lawyer, L. Londell McMillan. "She is a very loving host of other grandchildren."
 
Debbie Rowe, the mother of Michael’s two oldest children has not given the family any indication as to whether she intended to challenge Katherine for custody, according to Londell. She briefly gave up her parental rights to the kids after she Michael divorced, but requested them back in 2005.
 
Londell has also said that Michael did not have a will. Katherine has filed for control of Michael’s estate, but the judge did not rule on that. 
 
Despite Joe Jackson’s claim that he and Katherine have "personal and legal authority" over his estate, that may not necessarily be the case.
 
Under California law, all of Michael’s assets would be split up among his kids, but they would probably be over seen by a conservator.

-- Sonya Eskridge

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