<p>I think the presumption exists when both parents acknowledge paternity at the time of birth - which I might assume was done. If they are not married, that is sometimes called a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity. No matter who comes forward, the court will look at the best interests of the children so a sperm or egg donor can’t just show up and claim the kids. Debbie Rowe would have a tough time given she has had no part in their lives.</p>
<p>Glad to see someone started this thread; I really thought I was imagining it when I heard Joe Jackson promoting his “new record company” a couple of days after his son died…he makes my skin crawl; with or without the history of his relationship with his children…definitely an opportunist…IMO bizarre behavior in light of the situation…</p>
<p>In the infamous documentary, Michael said his father whipped him with a belt and whatever was handy, including electrical cords. It is very sad to think Joseph will have any part in raising Michael’s children when he also said (in the same documentary) that he hated his father and that was why he “never laid a hand” on his own children because he did not want his children to hate him the way he hated his father. While the Grandmother has temporary custody, it is not shared with Joseph. And it appears his full-time residence is separate from hers. I hope one of his brothers gets permanent custody of the kids.<br>
Joseph is a piece of work.</p>
<p>I am still incensed. As reported “Don Lemon (CNN) said he didn’t seem like a grieving father” and he seized the op to promote his new record label during a tribute to his son. What kind of friggin monster is this.</p>
<p>It would be ironic if MJ, who spent so much of his life trying to make up for a bad childhood, wound up giving HIS kids a bad childhood because of not having all the legal matters / guardianship in place.</p>
<p>I hope those kids are protected. I hope they keep some people around that the kids are familiar with. I hope the press stops and Debbie Rowe shuts up. Joe jackson really turned me off. From the interview I saw Michael did not like his dad, and would prob cringe having him be a spokesman. Many families are conflicted like that, just not in the public eye. Makes you wonder what really happened to make such a talented individual so troubled. genius does not equal sanity. It really seems sad. I am troubled by the molestation issues, I know he was not convicted but the ? remains.</p>
<p>You would hope one of his attorneys have the good conscience to set up trust and executor for those kids and Jacko had the good sense to sign it. We’ll see how good of a father he really was or he was in neverland,.</p>
<p>Having said that, maybe someone ought to start new thread “Michael Jackson’s Kids” and comment on what’s best for them.</p>
<p>Lets stay on-point here with Joseph Jackson and his bizzare behavior as insight to who he is and what role he’ll play in the post-mortum affairs of Michael Jackson.</p>
<p>The LA Times is reporting that Joe Jackson lives in Las Vegas, stays at the family compound when in California. Hopefully he will not be near those childern. No matter who their biological parents are, they have lost the parent that they knew and loved…very sad all around.
The local news is reporting that a will has been filed in Los Angeles, estate left to the childern and his mother, with some charities. Father not a beneficiary. Hopefully, the legal status/rights of those childern are properly protected.</p>
<p>Yes the kids are so important here. People mellow with age. My grandfather used “tough love” on my dad but was a very benevolent grandfather. I don’t think he would touch the kids. People are watching and he prob would not dare. Plus I think he was hard on his kids because he wanted them to produce and be under his control. These kids aren’t performers. I hope they have people around who love them and look out for them. Michael’s mom is old and sick. Anyway, keeping on point, I just didn’t buy his act, but a leopard does not change it’s spots. I think to him his kids were comodities. I feel harsh saying that and I can’t imagine that but who knows how he was raised or what his life experience was.</p>
<p>Most people mellow with age. I have not seen that in Joseph Jackson. You have been making deals for nearly half a century. Your son had made you a ton of money. All he wanted was your approval, your love. Even in death you are still using him. Makes me sick.</p>
<p>“now mother of MJ has custody,at least temporarily, I am afraid for the children with bad grandpa around.”</p>
<p>What kind of mother lets her husband physically and emotionally abuse her kids? Remember, one of the Jackson girls (Reba?) has alleged, too, that Joe sexually abused her and her mother knew this.</p>
<p>I watched the Martin Bashir interview when it was re-broadcast and Michael went into some detail not only about his father’s physical abuse but the emotional abuse. He said that his father teased him about his looks asking why he had a large, flat nose, commenting that he didn’t get that nose from him. He said that he wasn’t beaten as often as the others because he was used as example - “why can’t the rest of you dance like Michael” for example. He said they were completely terrified of him and nervous all the time about his reaction when they rehearsed and performed. Michael lied about other things in the interview so it is hard to know what is true, but the part about his father really rung true in light of how Michael grew to hate his physical appearance, was terribly self destructive and never seemed to move beyond childhood in his emotional development. I think he was the victim of horrible abuse that doomed him.</p>
<p>
That’s what I think and why I feel such compassion. How can anyone who was abused so badly as a child and never helped, ever become a normal and functioning adult? Particularly one who was the personal meal ticket for so many people?</p>
<p>From Joe Jackson’s behavior at the BET and other venues these past days, I have absolutely no regard for him. He seems to have no decency. </p>
<p>I did think that MJ’s Bashir interview rang true regarding the abuse. Did any of the brothers ever speak out about the abuse?</p>
<p>It would not surprise me at all that he had no interest in his kids having his DNA. His self loathing seems so intense that I think he did not want his kids to be anything like him or his family. The claim was that their faces were covered for safety reasons, but I think he was scared to death to hear some criticism of or comment on their appearance.</p>
<p>kids are good looking</p>
<p>They are, but Michael was a nice looking young man too and he couldn’t see it. He saw something really ugly and unworthy and he thought others saw that too. How’s that for sofa psychiatry?</p>
<p>I think the character of Mr Joe Jackson has been extensively dissected and enumerated here. Thank you for your input.</p>
<p>I noticed most of the recent comments concerned the fate of the children and I started new topic:</p>
<p>“The Jackson Children”</p>
<p>so it canbe properly addressed under its own thread. </p>
<p>Thank You, God Bless. Seth.</p>