Michael Jackson's mother lost her bid to control his estate after a court here granted the pop star's former lawyer John Branca and music producer John McClain temporary power to oversee his affairs.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge gave Branca and McClain temporary control of Jackson's estate overruling the objections of his mother Katherine Jackson.

Katherine, who is the temporary guardian of Jackson's three children, expressed concerns about McClain and Branca's financial leadership.

Her attorneys said that they were not challenging the will but said Katherine was best positioned to oversee Jackson's estate as she has been consistently involved with his business affairs throughout his career, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"Her concern is about handing over the keys to the kingdom this quickly to this group," said John E Schreiber, one of her attorneys.

But judge Mitchell Beckloff said the emergence of a 2002 will that named the two longtime Jackson associates – Branca and McClain -- as executors persuaded him to remove the star's 79-year-old mother from the position of limited power she had held over the estate for a week.

"I think the law compels that result. I think Mr Jackson felt comfortable with these individuals, at least in 2002," the judge said.

Whether the 7-year-old will is valid will be the subject of an August 3 hearing, Beckloff said.

However, the executors must seek court approval of any major business decisions and solicit input from Katherine Jackson about such deals, the judge said.

The court decision has empowered Branca, a leading music industry attorney, and McClain, a co-founder of Interscope Records, to begin cracking down on the sale of unlicensed merchandise bearing Jackson's name and likeness.

... contd.