Although his family and the public are still not sure about what really happened to the King of Pop in his death, the child custody legal battle is already in full swing.

On Monday, June 29, Katherine, Jackson’s mother, went to court to protect the family’s child custody rights. Katherine has been taking care of Jackson’s three children: Prince Michael, 12; Paris, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7.

There are many questions about who will be granted custody of Jackson’s children in the future.  Many experts feel that Debbie Rowe, mother of the two oldest children, has the strongest legal claim in court, but Jackson’s wishes may have the greatest influence for the youngest child.

The Jackson family has not yet heard from Rowe on her desire to have custody of Prince Michael and Paris. Jackson and Rowe were married in 1996. When the couple was filing divorce in 1999, Rowe waived her custody rights.

“Ms. Rowe’s only thoughts at this time have been regarding the devastating loss Michael’s family has suffered,” Marta Almli, Rowe’s attorney, wrote in a statement Saturday. “Ms. Rowe requests that Michael’s family, and particularly the children, be spared such harmful, sensationalist speculation and that they be able to say goodbye to their loved one in peace.”

On Wednesday, July 1 Jackson’s will from 2002 was filed in court. In his will, Jackson gave his entire estate to a family trust, naming his mother as the beneficiary of the trust and legal guardian of the children.

The will also named Diana Ross to raise the children if his mother could not. Ross, 65, helped Jackson start his career 1970s. She has five grown children of her own.

During a hearing on Wednesday, Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff of Los Angeles County Superior Court gave Jackson’s mother temporary custody. There are two more hearings schedule for Monday, July 6 and in August to further consider the will and child custody.

The court is still trying to determine if the 2002 will is the only valid will. Jackson’s estate is estimated to be a little more than $500 million, but the King of Pop has many unspecified debts.

Sources: The New York Times, CNN

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