Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff in Friday’s court hearing increased the powers of two men currently administering Michael Jackson’s estate, a move made in part because of the singer’s substantial debts.
Judge Beckloff gave attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain general powers over Jackson’s estate, which allow them to consider creditors’ claims. They can also enter into business deals that aren’t opposed by Katherine Jackson without Beckloff’s approval, and they can begin to represent the estate in several court cases pending against the singer when he died.
The judge made the ruling over the objections of Katherine Jackson’s attorney.
Numerous people have already filed claims against the pop singer’s estate for unpaid bills. They include a stylist, security providers and Jackson’s criminal defense attorneys who won his acquittal against child molestation charges.
Until Friday, no one could accept or reject creditor’s claims against Jackson, who died with an estimated $400 million in debt.
Paul Gordon Hoffman, an attorney for Branca and McClain, said there are several people who haven’t filed claims against the estate because there was technically no one to accept them.
Burt Levitch, an attorney for Katherine Jackson, declined to comment on the ruling. Levitch said Jackson’s mother is still hoping that a settlement will add a Jackson family member to the team administering the singer’s estate, which is expected to be worth more than $500 million.
Source: Associated Press
