Michael Jackson's mother, former wife set to face-off over children custody, control of estate

In his will, Jackson has purportedly stipulated that his mother, Katherine, 79, should have permanent custody of all three children - "Prince" Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., 12, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11, and seven-year-old Prince "Blanket" Michael II.

While Debbie Rowe had conceived Jackson's eldest two children, his youngest child was conceived with a surrogate mother whose identity was never revealed.

Though Jackson's first wife Lisa-Marie Presley, who was married to the singer between 1994 and 1996, and the surrogate mother of his third child are not expected to lay claim to any part of his estate or guardianship over his children, Katherine, who has already been granted temporary custody of her three grandchildren, is expected fight a bitter custodial battle against Debbie Rowe, Jackson's second wife, who is reportedly bracing to reclaim her rights on the children after giving up custody in 1999.

Rowe, 50, had ended a 4-year-old marriage with Jackson in 1999 and had signed an agreement with the singer handing him custody of their kids - "Prince" Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. Rowe was allowed just one parental visit every 46 days and in return, she was given about $1 million a year for nine years, plus a house in Beverly Hills and a car. In 2001, Rowe was paid a multi-million dollar settlement and she gave up all parental rights to Jackson.

However, later in 2003, Rowe petitioned to have those rights restored after Jackson was arrested on child molestation charges and an appeals court judge is believed to have restored her the rights to take custody of the children following her ex-husband's death.