14 DAY TRIAL // Yesterday, word got out in the media that Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson’s former wife and the mother of two of his three children, had agreed to give up her parental rights again, practically selling them for $4 million to the grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Far from being the truth, Rowe is not looking to make money off Jackson’s death and certainly not at the expense of the children, her attorney is now telling the New York Post in a letter posted by TMZ.
The NY Post was the outlet that broke the story on this, claiming under the PageSix column that several sources could confirm that a $4-million agreement had been reached between Rowe and Katherine Jackson, a sum in exchange of which the former would willingly agree to never see the children again. Not only is this completely fabricated, but Rowe is only looking out for the best interest of her kids, her attorney says in the letter, blasting the Post for running the story in the first place, even if under the gossip filing.
“There has been no agreement reached between Ms. Rowe and the Jacksons; Ms. Rowe has not and will not ‘giv[e] up her parental rights’; No determination has been reached concerning custody or visitation; and Ms. Rowe has not accepted – and will not accept – any additional financial consideration beyond the spousal support she and Michael Jackson personally agreed to several years ago.” the letter sent by Rowe’s attorney reads.
As if any further confirmation that no agreement has yet been reached was needed, TMZ too says that the situation between Rowe and the children’s grandmother has reached a standstill, in their attempt to avoid taking the case to court. As we also reported the other day, the two women met over the past weekend to discuss the possibility of an agreement favorable to both in the idea of avoiding a lengthy custody trial that might disturb the children’s lives, since they already had to deal with the loss of their father.
“Rowe and Jackson struck an agreement in which she was paid a large sum over a period of years. We’re told the current negotiations between the parties center on that agreement and whether the Jackson family will continue to honor it. Although the agreement stays in effect after Jackson’s death, we’re told Rowe wants assurance the family will abide by the terms. Our sources say the talks between Rowe and the Jackson family do not involve anything beyond what Rowe would receive under the agreement and she will not fight for custody.” TMZ writes, citing sources well familiar with the case.
The first hearing in the custody case has been pushed back from July 13 to July 20, to allow all parties involved to reach an understanding in the meanwhile.