Michael Jackson's mother has won temporary custody of his three children.

The children - Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7 - will now stay with the Jackson family at least until a further hearing on August 3.

Katherine Jackson filed papers at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

It was also reported that Mrs Jackson filed a second court action looking to take control of her son's estate.

The Jacksons' lawyer Londell McMillan said the family had not yet heard from Deborah Rowe, the mother of the two elder children. The youngest son was born to a surrogate mother.

The application listed the children as living at the Jacksons' family compound in the San Fernando Valley, north-west of Los Angeles.

"Minor children are currently residing with paternal grandmother," the filing stated in an explanation of why Mrs Jackson should be appointed guardian. "They have a long established relationship with paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care."

The filings provided no other declarations by Mrs Jackson, nor did they state whether Michael Jackson left a will.

The filings noted that Deborah Rowe is the mother of the Jackson's two eldest children, but list her whereabouts as "unknown".

For Michael Jackson's third child, known as Blanket, the filing stated "none" for the mother.

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