Yes, You Can Follow Michael Jackson's Estate!

If you are interested, you can follow developments in the Estate of Michael Jackson.  It only takes a few minutes of searching to locate the public website for viewing the court dockets for estates being probated in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. So if you're interested in keeping up to date on what's going on with the probate of Michael Jackson's will and estate, then follow the links and instructions provided below.

Even if you are not interested, the fact that you can follow the developments in probate court is instructive; it speaks volumes to the level of privacy one can expect in probate cases.  It also serves to illustrate what can be accomplished with trust planning.  You will note that Michael Jackson's estate plan included a revocable trust.  Although the probate court will involve numerous issues, such as guardianship of the children, if Michael Jackson;s trust was completely funded, identification and valuation of assets, and court overseen administration of them, would be limited. 

How to View the Court Docket for Michael Jackson's Estate:

1. Click on the following link to the Los Angeles County Superior Court probate website - Probate - General Information;
2. On the left side of the webpage click on the words Case Summary;
3. Scroll down the page to the box that says Case Number;
4. Enter the case number for Michael Jackson's estate in the box - BP117321 - you can leave the box next to "Filing Court: Optional" blank (you should be able to cut the case number from this webpage and paste into the Probate Court's, although you may be asked whether you want your browser to have access to your clipboard);
5. Click on the word Search.

You now have access to all of the court information about the probate of Michael Jackson's will and estate, including:

• Future Hearings - dates, times and locations;
• Parties - who is involved in the case, including their attorneys of record;
• Documents Filed - a list of the court pleadings, petitions and orders filed by name and date, and;
• Proceedings Held - a list of court hearings that have already taken place.

If you want to view the Probate Notes for Michael Jackson's Estate, follow these instructions:

1. Click on the following link to the Los Angeles County Superior Court probate website - Probate - General Information;
2. On the left side of the webpage click on the words Probate Notes;
3. Enter the case number for Michael Jackson's estate - BP117321 - in the box next to the words Case Number;
4. Click on the word Search.

You now have access to a summary of the most recent court proceedings!

You also can view of a copy Michael Jackson's will: Last Will and Testament of Michael Joseph Jackson dated July 7, 2002.