A Los Angeles judge on Monday named Michael Jackson's mother as temporary guardian of his three children, four days after the pop star unexpectedly died at his rented estate.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff approved the appointment of Katherine Jackson, 79, based on a petition of guardianship by her for the children. A hearing in the case has been scheduled for Aug. 3 in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The judge also scheduled a hearing for July 6 to address issues regarding the naming of a temporary guardian of the singer's estate.

He also ordered that notice of the hearing be provided to Deborah Rowe, the mother of two of Jackson's children, Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. The third child, Prince Michael II, 7, was born to a surrogate mother.


Pop star Michael Jackson (C) arrives with his father Joe Jackson and mother Katherine (R), at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria, California, in this March 14, 2005 file photo. Pop giant Michael Jackson, who took to the stage as a child star and set the world dancing to exuberant rhythms for decades, died on June 25, 2009, after being taken ill at his home, the Los Angeles Times said. He was 50.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
It was unclear who the superstar named as his executor of his will. Jackson reportedly wanted his children to live with his mother after his death.

Rowe and the Jackson family could potentially wage a protracted battle over whether the children will remain with the Jackson family at their home in a Los Angeles suburb, or be turned over to Rowe.

Source: Xinhua