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Michael Jackson will surfaces

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The Associated Press

Published: July 1, 2009

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson's will gives custody of his children to the singer's mother and leaves all of his assets in a trust fund, a person with knowledge of the document said Tuesday.

The word came just a day after the family said in court documents it believed the entertainer had died without a valid will.

The will was created in July 2002 and named as executors Jackson's longtime lawyer John Branca and John McClain, a music executive and a family friend, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show Jackson claimed to have a net worth of $236.6 million as of March 31, 2007.

Since that time both Jackson's debts and assets grew substantially - he refinanced loans later that year that increased his debt load by tens of millions of dollars, but the Sony/ATV Music Publishing joint venture also spent hundreds of millions acquiring new songs.

A nutritionist who was working with the singer as he prepared his comeback bid said Jackson was so distraught over persistent insomnia in recent months that he pleaded for a powerful sedative despite warnings it could be harmful.

Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse whose specialty includes nutritional counseling, also said she got a frantic phone call from Jackson four days before his death that made her fear he somehow obtained Diprivan or another drug to induce sleep.

Meanwhile, speculation persisted about a possible memorial service Friday at Jackson's Neverland ranch.

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