 Singer Michael Jackson is immortalized in a ceremony where his children (L-R) Prince, Blanket and Paris use Jackson's shoes and gloves and their own hands to make imprints in cement in the courtyard of Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on January 26, 2012. REUTERS/Phil McCarten


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A judge on Wednesday finalized an arrangement for Michael Jacksons nephew to serve as co-guardian of the late pop stars three children along with the kids grandmother, who until recently had been solely responsible for their care.
The decision by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff follows recent turmoil inside the famous family over the pop stars estate after grandmother Katherine Jackson was reported missing. She later turned up in Arizona with her eldest daughter and other family members.
But due to her absence from her Los Angeles home, T.J. Jackson, 34, the nephew of the Thriller singer, was made temporary co-guardian of Prince, 15, Paris, 14, and Blanket, 10. Beckloffs ruling on Wednesday formalized his position while Katherine Jackson, 82, remains primary guardian.
Its clear to me the children have a very strong, loving relationship with T.J. Jackson, Beckloff said.
Katherine Jacksons absence last month coincided with a letter sent by several Jackson siblings, including Janet, Randy and Rebbie, to the administrators of the pop stars estate challenging the validity of Jacksons will.
The will placed Jacksons estate under the administration of Los Angeles music executive John McClain and attorney John Branca, and it named Katherine Jackson and the pop stars three children as beneficiaries.
The estate, which includes rights to music and merchandise, generates millions in revenue annually and the administrators each receive lucrative fees for their work.
The dispute and Katherines absence raised questions about her competence, and there were even accusations she may have been kidnapped by her adult children.
But Wednesday, Katherine Jacksons attorney, Sandra Ribera, reaffirmed that the grandmother is in control and approved of the decision to have T.J. Jackson act as co-guardian.
Mrs. Jackson is a well-informed, strong woman who makes her own decisions and cant be influenced by anyone when it comes to these children, she said.
In a sworn declaration submitted to the court earlier this month, Katherine Jackson said she did not know her grandchildren were trying to reach her while she was away for about 10 days at a spa in Tucson, Arizona.
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