Childrens charities to receive fifth of Michael Jackson's assets

The website TMZ.com, which broke the news of the singer's death last Thursday, said it had learned Jackson had left 20 per cent of his assets to a number of children's charities to be chosen by a trust.

His mother, Katherine Jackson, is set to receive 40 per cent of his assets, whilst his three children receive the remaining 40 per cent. His father, with whom he had a bad relationship though much of his life, was not mentioned in the will, and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe is also not to receive anything.

Michael Jackson also determined that his three children should be cared for by his mother, although Debbie Rowe is reported to be challenging for custody of the first two children she gave birth to, Prince Michael I and Paris.

For full coverage on Michael Jackson, click here