Michael Jackson to return to Neverland
Updated on 30 June 2009
Details of Michael Jackson's funeral arrangements are beginning to emerge.
Reports in the United States say the star's body will be taken to his Neverland ranch for a public viewing on Friday and a private memorial at the weekend.
The legal wrangling is underway over Jackson's estate and the custody of his three children, as fans who bought tickets to the concerts at the O2 arena are promised a full refund.
The late singer's mother Katherine has gone to court in her bid to take control of both, claiming the singer left no will. But Jackson's former lawyer says he did write a will in 2002, dividing his estate between his mother and children. There are reports that his father, Joe, was left out of that will.
Michael Jackson's mother has already been to court to apply to be the administrator of his estate, although no decision has been made. She has been granted permission to be in charge of his personal possessions.
The family is worried that people will go into the house that Michael Jackson was renting, loot his personal property and sell it on, as items are now very valuable.
Katherine Jackson has also won the right to be the temporary guardian of Michael Jackson's three children. It is likely to be just the first step in a custody battle. She wants to look after them permanently, but it is not yet known if Debbie Rowe, mother of the two eldest children, Debbie Rowe, wants custody.
Joe Jackson appeared yesterday at a shrine to his son, where he addressed questions about a possible memorial service and about his own work in the record industry.
There will be no results from official inquiry into the singer's death for another four or five weeks, pending publication of toxicology reports to show what, if any, drugs were in Jackson's system when he died.
But the coroner in charge of that investigation went to the rented house Michael Jackson had been living in with a search warrant.
Ticket refunds
Most fans who were hoping to see Michael Jackson's final concerts will have a chance at a refund or they can choose keep their souvenir tickets instead.
The announcement came as promoter AEG released two pictures of Jackson rehearsing just before he died. AEG has not responded to rumours a video of this session might be released.
Details about refunds will be given out tomorrow at www.michaeljacksonlive.com.
