RIP Michael.

My husband and I know a nephew and niece of his, my heart goes out to family. I recently lost an aunt too young and I know the hurt that they are going through.

I want to know what's going to happen to the Beatles catalog/publishing that was floating his delusions and lifestyle for at least the last 15 years. Last I heard, he had to go to banks to get the refinancing when the publishing came up for renewal last. As far as his own music goes, did he write any of that or just sing it? If he only sung it, then he would need to sell Thriller type of numbers to realize a profit on any release thereafter. If he only performed it he would only see a fraction if there were no writing credits. I know Quincy Jones was heavily involved in MJ's work post Jackson 5. The only other question i might have would be did he know his health was declining and that was why he was so resistant to the big buck contract of performing in Las Vegas (ala Celine Dion)? Or was the hermit life style a by product of the botched plastic surgery and meds he was on?

Jackson was reported to borrow, 300 mil to reduce the interest rate on a loan he had with Sony/ATV. If he defaulted, Sony had the future option to buy have of Jackson's stake, leaving Jackson 25 percent. It was reported Jackson agreed to this deal, but the finalized details were not made public. Reports of he needed money for his legal billls, and his life style.

So, if this is true wonder if the debt is wiped out by death, or maybe leaving him own 25 percent.

What I found really interesting was his share was reported as not being owned by him personally, but owned by The Michael Jackson Family Trust. My question is who is involved in the family trust. I do think Michael was shrewd business man, and if the ownership was set up this way, maybe done for a reason due to his debt owed.

Numbers I noticed that the Sony/ATV publishing had an estimated worth between 1.5 bil to 5 bil.

It's estimated the beatles alone bring in 30 to 45 mil a year.

Sony/ATV publishing reported at Jackon's death, Sony would keep control of the Beatles songs. It was also reported, that Michael left his share of the song's to Paul in his will to heal the riff between the two of them. I'm not buying that one!

That is still some chunk of change, whether The MJ Family Trust owns 25, or 50 percent.

I also read where the Sony/Atv Publishing Rights included Elvis, Dylan, Eminen, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, The Jonas Brothers, and of course the Beatles.

Rolling Stone's article before his death, about his concert tour, questioned his health. The biggest concern was that he would be a no show, or cancel. In late May he postponed, the first four shows of the tour. It was blamed on Jackson's perfectionism.

Jackson has been desribed as a millionaire who spends like a billonaire.There were many civil lawsuits, from former employees and advisers who never got paid. In May, Raymone Bain, Jackson's general manager, said Jackson stiffed her out of millions.

Allgood Entertainment filled a suit against him, in June claiming claiming the singer broke a contract to do a Jackson family- reunion concert. In January, film director Jonhn Landis, who directed "Thriller" video said Jackson did not pay him his share of royalties.

Jackson's financial and legal problems were so pressing that AEG who promoted his concert, had to advance him 5 mil to settle a British lawsuit. It was reported Jackson could make 500 mil a year, if he worked and put his mind to it. Very few artists are multibillion-dollar businesses. He was one.

I question how Michael got insured for the tour, and IF he had drugs in his system (that were not prescribed by his regular doctors) during his physical for the tour.

Or was this just over looked. The stones could not tour this year because Ron could not pass his physical, due to alcohol.

This just seems all fishy to me. The tour promoter pays for the cardiac doctor to live with him. It's very strange!

I am not a fan, or unfan of Michael. Pop music is not my bag.

I'm sorry for his childrens loss. But, I can't help but wonder if this was a suicide and he just threw in the towel?

His financial problems, seemed endless. Sad to say, in death I think his personal debt would be wiped out.

Vegas, no idea. There were so many chances for him to make money, and get on track. But, maybe he figured the more he made that there would always be lawsuits anyway. So, what did it matter.

Jackson was reported to borrow, 300 mil to reduce the interest rate on a loan he had with Sony/ATV. If he defaulted, Sony had the future option to buy have of Jackson's stake, leaving Jackson 25 percent. It was reported Jackson agreed to this deal, but the finalized details were not made public. Reports of he needed money for his legal billls, and his life style.

So, if this is true wonder if the debt is wiped out by death, or maybe leaving him own 25 percent.

What I found really interesting was his share was reported as not being owned by him personally, but owned by The Michael Jackson Family Trust. My question is who is involved in the family trust. I do think Michael was shrewd business man, and if the ownership was set up this way, maybe done for a reason due to his debt owed.

Numbers I noticed that the Sony/ATV publishing had an estimated worth between 1.5 bil to 5 bil.

It's estimated the beatles alone bring in 30 to 45 mil a year.

Sony/ATV publishing reported at Jackon's death, Sony would keep control of the Beatles songs. It was also reported, that Michael left his share of the song's to Paul in his will to heal the riff between the two of them. I'm not buying that one!

That is still some chunk of change, whether The MJ Family Trust owns 25, or 50 percent.

I also read where the Sony/Atv Publishing Rights included Elvis, Dylan, Eminen, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, The Jonas Brothers, and of course the Beatles.

Rolling Stone's article before his death, about his concert tour, questioned his health. The biggest concern was that he would be a no show, or cancel. In late May he postponed, the first four shows of the tour. It was blamed on Jackson's perfectionism.

Jackson has been desribed as a millionaire who spends like a billonaire.There were many civil lawsuits, from former employees and advisers who never got paid. In May, Raymone Bain, Jackson's general manager, said Jackson stiffed her out of millions.

Allgood Entertainment filled a suit against him, in June claiming claiming the singer broke a contract to do a Jackson family- reunion concert. In January, film director Jonhn Landis, who directed "Thriller" video said Jackson did not pay him his share of royalties.

Jackson's financial and legal problems were so pressing that AEG who promoted his concert, had to advance him 5 mil to settle a British lawsuit. It was reported Jackson could make 500 mil a year, if he worked and put his mind to it. Very few artists are multibillion-dollar businesses. He was one.

I question how Michael got insured for the tour, and IF he had drugs in his system (that were not prescribed by his regular doctors) during his physical for the tour.

Or was this just over looked. The stones could not tour this year because Ron could not pass his physical, due to alcohol.

This just seems all fishy to me. The tour promoter pays for the cardiac doctor to live with him. It's very strange!

I am not a fan, or unfan of Michael. Pop music is not my bag.

I'm sorry for his childrens loss. But, I can't help but wonder if this was a suicide and he just threw in the towel?

His financial problems, seemed endless. Sad to say, in death I think his personal debt would be wiped out.

Vegas, no idea. There were so many chances for him to make money, and get on track. But, maybe he figured the more he made that there would always be lawsuits anyway. So, what did it matter.

A "Family Trust" as in "Michael Jackson's Family Trust" is a legal document separate and apart from a will. The person setting up the trust, the "Grantor" or "Trustee" (Jackson) would transfer title to all their assets into the trust. The Grantor or Trustee (Jackson) would have access to all their assets in that trust. He could sell, transfer, manage, etc. his assets in that trust at any time. Upon the death or incapacitation of the Grantor or Trustee, a Successor Trustee(s) (you can designate one or more) is designated by the Grantor or Trustee to manage, sell, transfer, etc. the assets in the Trust WITHOUT probating in court (like a will). However, the Successor Trustee(s) does not have the power to change the Trust. The Trust become irrevocable or unchangeable at the death of the Grantor or Trustee. The Successor Trustee(s) must manage the assets of the Family Trust for the benefit of the beneficiaries of that Trust. The beneficiaries are those who have been named by the Grantor or Trustee to receive the benefit of the Trust's assets.

Clear as mud, huh? Suffice it to say, it is separate from a will. The beneficiaries here could be Mr. Jackson's children and his mother. I'm sure it will all come out in the press (if it hasn't already).

Carolyn (30 years in L.A. Law)

/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

His personal chef was being interviewed this morning when I got

home. The media will flog this death until it becomes a nuisance

as usual. Makes me wonder what important story is going unreported

because it lost time to this 2 week old event. /angry.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />