Michael Jackson Estate | The Last Will and Testament: Revealed

You can now view Michael Jackson’s last will and testament, since it is a public, court document. View it here: Michael Jackson’s Last Will and Testament.

Some very interesting initial points.  First, Diana Ross was named as back-up guardian to the children.  Secondly, Michael Jackson has specifically made provisions to exclude his ex-wife Deborah Jean Rowe Jackson.

It looks like Michael Jackson has set up the Michael Jackson Family Trust, judging by the Jackson’s will.  This is a good thing since a living trust is a much more private document and will be kept out of the public’s eye.

Most likely the Michael Jackson Family Trust will control the disposition of the assets for the benefit of family members and children.  On it’s face, this is the right step in terms of estate planning. However, it is important also to put the right assets into the Trust.  We most likely will not be able to see how the trust was funded.

• Did he have life insurance that named the trust as a beneficiary?
• Were there bank accounts that were held in the name of the trust?
• What about his business interests?
• Will the assets have to be probated then “poured-over” into the trust, making the assets public or was the trust funded correctly?

So we have more answers and some signs that his estate planning was set up in a logical manner from an outsiders view, but we still have some important questions to answer to decide if he had an effective, well planned comprehensive estate plan set up.

Also visit South Florida Estate Planning Lawyer, David Shulman’s blog, as he is also covering the Michael Jackson Estate saga and providing insight as an estate planning lawyer.

Christopher J. Berry, Esq., A Michigan Estate Administration Lawyer, is a Partner with Witzke Berry PLLC, which practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Michigan Probate Litigation.