Shake-up in Katherine Jackson’s legal team leaves her unrepresented at estate hearing

Katherine Jackson picks new lawyer in estate case

LOS ANGELES — A shakeup in Katherine Jackson’s legal team left her unrepresented during a hearing Thursday to clarify the power two attorneys have over her pop star son’s estate, but it didn’t stop the judge from issuing orders upholding those powers and adding new ones.

The new authority given the administrators by Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff included not having to seek permission from the judge to make routine decisions on various administrative matters involving the estate of Michael Jackson.

Earlier Thursday, Katherine Jackson replaced her team of probate lawyers with a new attorney, Adam Streisand.

Attorneys for the estate told Beckloff he would not appear because some of Katherine Jackson’s former attorneys had not formally relinquished their role in the case.

Streisand said after the hearing he will need to review the case before commenting on Beckloff’s ruling or his strategy for the case.

Katherine Jackson is one of the main beneficiaries of her son’s estate and has already been named permanent guardian of his three children, who range in ages from 7 to 12.

Her former attorneys repeatedly talked about challenging the adequacy of the estate’s administrators, attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain. But Beckloff noted none of those objections have been filed, and he was concerned about frequent delays posed by Katherine Jackson’s former attorneys.

“The family came to a a decision that they felt they needed a different perspective and a fresh look at how this case was being approached,” Streisand said Thursday. “I answer to nobody but Mrs. Jackson.”

Streisand is no stranger to high-profile celebrity estate cases. He has represented clients in the probate cases of Anna Nicole Smith, Ray Charles and Marlon Brando.

Beckloff earlier this month granted Branca and McClain the authority to handle numerous creditors’ claims and lawsuits facing the estate. But attorneys for the men and Katherine Jackson couldn’t agree on the wording of Beckloff’s order, so a hearing was called to clarify it.

The judge allowed the administrators a new set of powers that will allow them to handle routine transactions — such as striking business deals and making additional payments to Katherine Jackson and the children — provided they are uncontested.