The executors of Michael Jackson's estate have been granted permission by a Los Angeles judge to begin sifting through the King of Pop's belongings and start business negotiations relating to his planned comeback tour.
In what is believed to be Jackson's final will, signed in 2002, the singer placed attorney John Branca and recording executive John McClain in charge of his assets, with instructions for his estate to go into a family trust and selected charities.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff finalised the paperwork making Branca and McClain executors on Monday, and laid out the extent of their powers as administrators.
According to the rules, the pair can take control of all of Jackson's physical assets and place them into storage, handle any tax-related matters, and seek the expertise of professionals for help with various issues that may arise from the handling of the late star's estate.
Beckloff also granted the duo permission to deal with concert promoters AEG Live, the company behind Jackson's This Is It London dates.
The ruling came after Branca and McClain's attorney Paul Gordon Hoffman insisted clarification of their powers was needed in an effort to "begin to take the actions necessary to preserve the assets of the estate and address the needs" of the singer's three children.
The powers remain in place until the next court hearing, which is scheduled for 3 August.
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