Jackson's mother gives go-ahead to will executioners

Michael Jackson’s mother withdrew her objections today to the appointment of two long-time Jackson associates as executors of the singer’s will.

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

Mrs Jackson no longer objects to the appointment of lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain to oversee the singer’s estate. She feels her actions are in the best interest of her son’s children, Mr Streisand said.

A judge intends 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 lawyer, Brian Oxman, detailed his bid to get money from his son’s estate by making conflict of interest accusations against Mr Branca and Mr McClain.

Joe Jackson 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 relied on his son for support for many years.

Howard Weitzman, a lawyer 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.

A former steelworker, he managed and trained his children and organised 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.

Mr Jackson’s list of expenses includes $1,200 dollars a month for rent for his Las Vegas home; $2,500 for dining; $1,000 for entertainment, gifts and vacations; $2,000 on air travel and $3,000 on hotels.