Lawyer: Katherine Jackson Not Contesting Will -- Sort Of!
Jul. 20 2009, Published 9:00 a.m. ET
Despite the fact that Katherine Jackson filed legal papers Friday to ascertain if she could object to certain provisions of Michael Jackson's trust, her lawyer Londell McMillan released a statement Monday decrying any interpretation that she's contesting the will.
Of course it's important to know that Michael's will has a "no contest" clause -- meaning that anyone who challenges it gets nothing.
McMillan released this statement to RadarOnline.com: "Despite false reports, neither Mrs. Jackson nor any of her lawyers has or will be contesting the will. Nor has she decided whether or not to raise any challenge to the appointment of the executors named in the will or whether to seek the appointment of an additional co-executor. Her top priority remains the care of her son's three children."
John Branca and John McClain are executors of Michael's will and administrators of his estate, turning back an earlier challenge from Katherine.
On Friday Katherine filed court papers asking for a ruling to determine if she would trigger the no contest clause in Michael's will by objecting to the appointment of executors or requesting the appointment of an executor or administrator.
McMillan wants everyone to know that Katherine is just trying to preserve her legal options, not necessarily make a move for control.
He told RadarOnline.com: "In order to preserve her legal options, an application was filed this past Friday with the court to confirm that any possible objections Mrs. Jackson might raise at a later time regarding the appointment of executors would not constitute a challenge to the will itself. It is only fair and she has such a right under the law."
Ok counselor, it's exactly that type of language and reasoning why we didn't go to law school (you know, that and the grades thing). But don't dismiss McMillan, he's a top lawyer.
In case you don't remember McMillan represented Prince successfully in the mid-90's when he successfully got the artist out of his Warner Brother's contract.