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Siblings fight for Michael Jackson’s estate

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Michael Jackson’s siblings Janet, Rebbie, Tito, Randy and Jermaine signed a letter addressed to their late brother’s estate executors John Branca and John McLain claiming that Michael’s will was fraudulent. The Jacksons accused Branca and McLain of falsifying a legal document in order to gain control of Michael’s estate against his wishes and using the court to seal any documents that might prove otherwise.

In the letter, the Jacksons say that months prior to his death, Michael told them he despised Branca and McLain and did not want the pair to have anything to do with his estate. The letter also states that the pair took advantage of the Jacksons’ mother, Katherine, 82, and got her to agree to increases in their percentage fees of the gross income of the estate. Additionally, the siblings say they have evidence that Michael was not in Los Angeles on July 7, 2002, the date he signed the will.

“You’ve dishonored everything that our brother Michael stood for,” the Jackson sibilings wrote. “Your greed and hasty business decisions have shown that you have no regard for the preservation of his legacy, nor the quality of work he exemplified. You have disrespected our parents and family too many times.”

Immediately following Michael’s death, Katherine and his father, Joe, each filed challenges against Branca and McLain. Neither challenge made it to court. Katherine backed out of her case. Joe’s case was thrown out because he was not a beneficiary and lacks legal “standing” according to Forbes. The Jackson siblings have sworn to take legal action, but they could face the same issue. Once Michael’s children turn 18, any of them could take legal action against the executors. Michael’s eldest son, Prince, is 15.

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