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The mother of Michael Jackson’s two children is reportedly poised to take full control of them in the wake of the superstar’s death.
Debbie Rowe was understood to have given up her parental rights to Paris and Michael Joseph Jr. after a custody battle in 2005, saying the music legend was a great father.
But it’s now emerged that a technicality during the court proceedings meant that she never officially handed over those rights.
It comes despite widespread speculation that Jackson’s mother Katherine would take custody of the pair.
According to TMZ.com, retired Judge Stephen Lachs, who presided over the hearing, had initially ruled that Rowe’s rights were terminated.
However, he later reversed this decision because the American nurse had not undergone a parental fitness investigation.
Lance Spiegel, the lawyer who represented Jackson, told the website that legally, the Department of Children and Family Services must conduct such an inquiry before a person can have their parental rights terminated.
It means that under California law, Rowe is now presumed to be the person who will get custody of Michael Jnr, 12 and Paris, 11.
The only way she can be denied custody is if a court determines that this would be “detrimental to the children”.
It’s reported that Rowe intends to apply for custody, although she is likely to have a fight on her hands.
If a bid is successful, she is expected to receive hefty child support payments from the tragic musician’s estate.
Jackson, who died aged 50 on Thursday, also has a third child, Prince “Blanket” Michael II, who was born via a surrogate mother.
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