Michael Jackson’s mother withdraws opposition to son’s longtime associates as will executors

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Michael Jackson’s mother approves will executors

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s mother withdrew her objections Tuesday to the appointment of two longtime Jackson associates as executors of the singer’s will.

The surprise announcement came from Katherine Jackson’s attorney Adam Streisand, who said his client felt it was time the legal fighting ended.

Katherine Jackson no longer objects to the appointment of attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain to oversee the singer’s estate, Streisand said. She feels her actions were in the best interest of her son’s children, he added.

A judge intended to make his formal appointment after resolving whether Jackson’s father can challenge the appointments. Joe Jackson was omitted from his son’s will, with Michael Jackson’s assets going to his mother, his children and children’s charities.

Lawyers for the estate were ordered back to argue the matter.

A 60-page motion filed last week by Joe Jackson’s attorney, Brian Oxman, detailed his bid to get money from his son’s estate by making conflict of interest accusations against Branca and McClain.

Joe Jackosn is seeking an allowance from his son’s estate to help cover expenses that exceed $15,000 a month, according to the court documents.

The two had an often-strained relationship, and Michael Jackson said at one point that he would get physically sick — as a child and as an adult — at the sight of his father.

The documents said Joe Jackson receives a $1,700 monthly Social Security payment and had relied on his son for support for many years.

Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the administrators of Jackson’s estate, has said Joe Jackson’s petition would be considered along with all other requests for money from the estate.

Joe Jackson suffers from diabetes and had a stroke in 1998, the filing stated.

A former steelworker, he managed and trained his children and organized the Jackson 5. He has been married to Katherine Jackson for 50 years, but he lists his home in Las Vegas. She lives at a family home in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles.

The filings listing Joe Jackson’s age as 80 in one place and 81 in another.

His list of expenses includes $1,200 a month for rent for his Las Vegas home; $2,500 to eat out; $1,000 for entertainment, gifts and vacations; $2,000 on air travel and $3,000 on hotels.