Michael Jackson’s final days could be allegorized by an oil tanker colliding with a rocky shoreline, dumping millions of gallons of crude into a crystal-clear ocean. Part of the early warning system of that doomed craft was never functional – that of the naming of a guardian and custodian of Jackson’s children in the event he should become incapacitated. Thankfully, the wheels are now in motion to rectify both errors: we hope Katherine Jackson, though aged, proves to be a reliable guardian for her son’s offspring. Yesterday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Mitchell Beckloff, tapped Margaret G. Lodise, a partner at a downtown Los Angeles law firm specializing in probate matters, to serve as the children’s guardian ad litem in the settling of their father’s estate. Interestingly this is the same judge that first entertained some probate matters in the Estate of Anna Nicole Smith which I wrote about several months ago.
Lawyers for Katherine Jackson, 79, oppose certain elements of merchandising and memorabilia contracts hammered out by the estate administrators, John Branca and John McClain. The judge said today that he will ask for input from the children’s guardian before deciding whether to approve the contracts. The waters might be darkened by toxicity, but we trust Lady Justice’s rescue boat will intercede, restoring health and vitality to troubled waters.
There is lots of interest in this case. I know I speak for the rest of my internet friends in that we love your first hand updates. Thank you.
If you think this courtroom is interesting, you should check into the mess that is going on in the Texas part of it…all about the MONEY! I have never witnessed such corruption as what is going on in that Texas courtroom, and so many witnesses being bought.
The lot of them may or may not be legally culpable in Anna Nicole’s death, but they are most certainly morally and ethically culpable.
I’m glad they’re actually going to have to answer in a court of law for their actions- hopefully this proceding will not only assess their culpability, but draw more attention to this emerging issue.
So Dr. Sandeep showed up late, I wonder why. Maybe his lateness was unavoidable which can happen to any of us. Or was he late simply because he is an arrogant doctor-god who operates by his own special rules? Or was he late because he psychologically wants his criminal charges to go away and this made him drag reluctantly into criminal court? Or was he shamed into lateness? Or was he just shirking responsibility and did not want to face up to his charges? I wish someone would interview him and tell us more about him and how he thinks. I guess this is what his trial is for.
This tragedy seems to permeate the medical establishment when it comes to wealthy clients…
i agree with noodle monkey about the moral culpability of these doctors. these and most other doctors and the pharmaceutical companies are co-dependent on prescriptions being written liberally (whether they are for pain meds or any other kinds). imagine if all prescriptions were cut in half by 50%, what sort of financial loss would be seen by the pharmas? and would everyone involved be rewarded with a better sense of morality instead of money…
It’s all about money, we need socialized medicine and put the doctors on a salary so they would have no incentive to get people addicted to their meds.
—The worst of all to me is when they take advantage of parental love to get children on ritalin, prozac and other drugs. The tender young brains are in formation and kids are damaged for life.
—Example: It is perfectly normal for a 2nd grade boy to be jumping all over with ADD, he needs to be taught to discipline himself and to focus his attention, not given drugs.
When the democrats took God and honest fair discipline out of the classroom…
drugs were the obvious replacement…and that is a sad indictment of our society. Doctors are
following the money trail that the democrats laid out for them…
my sentiments go out to katherine jackson and the three orphaned children…..this isn’t over …too much greed in the world…the children will be secondary in the final analysis…and that is a real shame…
In my opinion, Judge Beckloff should have appointed Ms. Lodise to represent only ONE of the children and the other two should each have a separate guardian.
I just do not trust anyone with money, and I think a panel of three guardians, one for each child, would be a better safeguard.
The probate court is secretive, nit-picky to the extreme and long drawn out for years and years and money can slip through the cracks, in my opinion.