Posted by Adam

Monday July 27, 2009

A custody agreement for Michael Jackson‘s three children will “absolutely” be in place before an Aug. 3 hearing on the matter, Jackson family lawyer L. Londell McMillan said Monday.

“We’ll be making an announcement very soon,” McMillan said on the Today show this morning. “I want to say the parties have been very responsible. [Michael's ex-wife] Debbie Rowe, her lawyers, Katherine Jackson have been very thoughtful, very caring, very prudent, and we do believe we’re very close to reaching an agreement, and this swirling speculation is just swirling speculation.

“We’ve kind of gotten together, and we’ve been thoughtful and prudent and we’re working on an agreement that’s going to be not just what’s best for Debbie Rowe or Mrs. Jackson, but what’s best for the two children that Debbie Rowe had,” he continued.

“When I first met Michael…from the beginning, [he said], ‘Make sure to take care of my children and my mother,’” the lawyer said. “That’s what we’re going to do.

“What’s best for the children is what Michael wanted and what has been happening: Mrs. Jackson to have custody of these children.

“Whatever the agreement will be, [it] will not be based on money.”

Rowe regaining custody of the two eldest children is “not on the table,” McMillan insisted.

Rowe wed Jackson in 1996 (he was a patient in the dermatologist’s office, where she worked as a nurse). They divorced in 1999.

During her custody fight with Jacko, Rowe agreed to give up her parental rights, insisting he was a good father.

“Michael and Debbie Rowe had their agreement prior to his passing,” the lawyer said. “That is not on the table. That is not what we’re dealing with, despite a lot of the public inquiries.”

Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, seven, are currently living with Katherine at the Jackson family’s mansion in Encino, Calif.

It was recently reported that Prince, Paris and Blanket had turned their auntie, Janet Jackson, into their “make-believe” mom.

“She’s the one they’re turning to now,” a source told Britain’s Daily Express newspaper. “Janet has totally bonded with the kids since their father’s death.

“They fly into her arms when she enters the house and would spend all day every day hanging out with her if they could.

“It’s almost like they have adopted her as their new mom.

“They adore Katherine but they relate a lot more to Janet, who’s got the energy to keep up with their constant questions about their dad.”

Michael, 50, died June 25 after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles.

Tags: michael jackson, michael jackson's children