Michael Jackson mother to get $1m a year

Jackson's children have been living with their grandmother since his death
Court papers released in Los Angeles have revealed Michael Jackson's mother will receive more than $1m (£606,000) a year from the singer's estate.

The money is to be used to support Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson's three children.

The amount was approved by a judge in Los Angeles in August, but details have remained confidential until now.

The payments are $26,804 a month for Mrs Jackson herself and a monthly allowance of $60,000 for the children.

Prince Michael, 11, Paris Michael Katherine, nine, and Prince Michael II (known as Blanket), seven, are the main beneficiaries of the singer's multi-million dollar estate, along with his mother and various charities.

After his death in June, Michael Jackson's children went to live with their grandmother at the family home in north Los Angeles. They are still living there and Katherine Jackson has been granted permanent guardianship.

String of cases

The court documents show Mrs Jackson's share pays for an assistant, housekeeper, driver, utilities, clothing, grooming and other expenses. It is not known if any of her funds are being used to help other members of her family.

The documents do not provide details of how the childrens' allowance is being spent, but state that $315,000 a year pays for employees caring for them and another $160,000 is set aside for entertainment and other expenses.

Lawyers for Katherine Jackson wanted details of the payments kept private but Judge Mitchell Beckloff said in court he did not think the total amount could remain sealed.

Judge Beckloff has been presiding over a string of court cases regarding the unravelling of Michael Jackson's estate, his business dealings and the wrangling over future earnings.

There are plans to produce a wide range of Michael Jackson memorabilia and a movie including footage from rehearsals for his planned comeback tour will be released in late October.

The judge also scheduled another court hearing in October for a progress report on how the children are faring since their father's death. At his memorial service in early July, his daughter Paris paid an emotional tribute to her father.

Michael Jackson died in June from high levels of drugs in his body including the powerful anaesthetic propofol, more commonly used on hospital patients before surgery.

A police investigation into how he procured the drug has focussed on his personal physician Dr Conrad Murray. No charges have yet been brought in relation to the singer's death.
By Rajesh Mirchandani
BBC News, Los Angeles