A family court judge granted Michael Jackson's mother request, at least temporarily, for guardianship, of the pop superstar's three children following his unexpected death last week.

According to reports, Katherine Jackson, age 79, has filed court papers seeking permanent custody of the children ages 12, 11 and 7.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

[Updated at 11:05 a.m.: A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge issued a ruling this morning granting temporary guardianship of deceased singer Michael Jackson's three children to his mother, Katherine Jackson, a court spokesman said.

Judge Mitchell Beckloff has set a hearing for July 6 at 8:30 a.m. for the case, where the children do not have to be present, according to Allan Parachini, spokesman for the Los Angeles Superior Court. The hearing was originally scheduled for Aug. 3. Parachini said the rescheduling is routine for guardianship cases.]

Michael Jackson's mother filed documents this morning in Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeking guardianship of the deceased pop singer's three children.

Attorneys for Katherine Jackson said in court papers that the children's biological mother, Debbie Rowe, does not have a relationship with them and that if she won custody, it would be "detrimental" to the minors.

Prince Michael Jr., 12, Paris Michael Katherine, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7, are living with their grandmother and their grandfather, Joe Jackson, and have a "long established relationship" with her, the filing stated.

 

The filing, by Encino-based attorney Diane Goodman, is the first legal volley in what is anticipated to be a protracted battle over custody of the children and control of his estate.

Some legal experts believe the pop star's former wife, Debbie Rowe, is most likely to receive custody of the two elder children she had with the singer.