Guardian appointed to represent Michael Jackson’s children in settling of estate
Harriet Ryan
August 11, 2009
Los Angeles Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/judge-appoints-a-special-guardian-for-michael-jacksons-children-to-settle-estate.html
A judge has tapped a partner at a downtown Los Angeles law firm specializing in probate matters to serve as a special guardian for Michael Jackson’s children in the settling of their father’s estate.

The attorney, Margaret G. Lodise, is to advocate for the best interests of the performer’s two sons and daughter in the sometimes-contentious process of putting Jackson’s affairs in order.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff said today he was appointing a lawyer, known as a guardian ad litem, to represent the children because of disputes between the estate’s administrators and Jackson’s mother, the other major beneficiary of his lucrative music empire.

Lawyers for Katherine Jackson, 79, oppose certain elements of merchandising and memorabilia contracts hammered out by the estate administrators, John Branca and John McClain. The judge said today that he will ask for input from the children’s guardian before deciding whether to approve the contracts.

Lodise, of the firm Sacks Glazier Franklin & Lodise, is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and former president of the Women Lawyers’ Assn. of Los Angeles.