PRNewswire
SAN FRANCISCO, July 6, 2009 /Xpress Press/ — Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff today upheld the validity of Jackson’s 2002 will which named John Branca and John McClain as Co-Executors of Michael Jackson’s estate.
According to public records, on June 29, 2009, Jackson’s mother filed for Letters of Administration with the Superior Court — which assumes that Michael Jackson died without a will.
“The filing was an attempted power grab by the family to take control of Michael Jackson’s estate. In filing for Letters of Administration the family was attempting to argue that Michael Jackson died without a will. Clearly, this is not the case,” says California estate attorney, Loren Lopin.
”I believe Judge Beckloff was correct in his ruling,” states Lopin, who has just finished a probate case over which Judge Beckloff presided. “In reviewing Michael Jackson’s well-drafted will, the document clearly states, ‘I appoint JOHN BRANCA, JOHN McCLAIN and BARRY SIEGEL as co-Executors of this Will.’”
”Judge Beckloff is a tough but fair judge in Los Angeles County — the most difficult county in California in which to bring a probate case. I know because I just completed a case presided over by Judge Beckloff which took over 20 months to complete.”
Lopin believes that Michael Jackson was a shrewd businessman and surrounded himself with good advisors. “Jackson’s will is a ‘pour-over-will’ which means any property named in the will at the time of his death shall be placed in his trust. Jackson’s will states, ‘I give my entire estate to the Trustees under that Trust executed March 22, 2002 by me as Trustee and Trustor which is called the MICHAEL JACKSON FAMILY TRUST…
‘” The trust is a private document so most of Jackson’s estate will be distributed to beneficiaries without the prying eyes of the public.
”The will does nominate Jackson’s mother as the guardian of his minor children,” states Lopin. “Guardianships are handled by the probate court, therefore, these proceedings will be for public view.”
”I disagree with Rev. Sharpton’s comments about the court’s lack of sensitivity. Jackson’s mother filed for Letters of Administration shortly after her son’s death, thrusting her into the middle of these proceedings.”
For expert commentary and explanations of estate issues, contact Loren Lopin at Trusts & Estates P.C. at (415) 200-4592 or loren(@)estateplansf.com .
This release was issued through The Xpress Press News Service, merging e-mail and satellite distribution technologies to reach business analysts and media outlets worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.XpressPress.comSOURCE: Trusts & Estates P.C.