Joe Jackson Launches Bid For Share Of Son's Estate

MICHAEL JACKSON's father JOSEPH has launched a court bid for a share of the King of Pop's estate.

Jackson Sr. enjoyed a fraught relationship with the superstar during his lifetime and was excluded from his will, following Michael's death in June (09).

Five months on, the patriarch has mounted a legal challenge, and filed papers in Los Angeles County Court claiming there's 'no justification' for his exclusion and that he is 'entitled to his own independent family allowance'.

Joseph wants a judge to grant him help covering his USD 15,425 (GBP9640) monthly expenses.

He has recruited business manager Leonard Rowe, who claims to have been a consultant for Michael, to help his cause.

In the legal papers Rowe alleges Michael gave his parents a USD 60,000 (GBP37,500) monthly allowance, which they split.

Joseph claims the estate can afford to help him out, because it has 'earned more than USD 100 million (GBP62.5 million) dollars in the first seven weeks following Michael Jackson's death' and is 'well able to afford a family allowance for Joe Jackson.'

Ironically, Rowe is suing the Jackson estate for flights and business meetings he set up while working as the King of Pop's advisor earlier this year (09).

--IANS-WENN