And now a judge has ruled Michael Jackson's nephew TJ should permanently share guardianship responsibilities for the Prince of Pop's three children.
The decision came despite a last-minute effort by some relatives to delay it.
Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff named the 34-year-old, who is the son of the pop icon's elder brother Tito, as the children's co-guardian and he will now share responsibilities for raising the siblings.
Guardian: TJ Jackson was given co-guardianship duties for his uncle Michael's children today
It means he will now have a large role in the lives of the star's children Prince, 15, Paris 14 and 10-year-old Blanket.
It came despite some last minute court drama, that saw cousin Debra Jackson and her son Anthony pleading with the adjudicator to delay his ruling, saying they were concerned family matriarch Katherine was being coerced.
The pair said they had been ostracised from the family and that the children may not be as excited about TJ Jackson's appointment as has been presented to the judge.
New arrangement: Blanket, Paris and Prince have all given consent to the setup
The judge made the ruling after considering a letter submitted by singer Diana Ross, who was named in Michael Jackson's will as a potential guardian, and a letter presented by cousins of the singer who sought a delay in the appointment.
But Beckloff noted that all three children have said they consent to the co-guardianship, and that an independent investigation he ordered showed they 'have a very strong, loving relationship with TJ Jackson.'
He urged TJ Jackson to consider allowing the cousins to visit the family, but said there was no reason to delay.
The appointment means that Katherine and TJ Jackson will share responsibilities for raising the children.
Sharing the load: The Prince of Pop's mother Katherine had been sole guardian but now she will another pair of hands
If one of them is no longer able to serve, the other would become the children's sole guardian.
Debra and Anthony Jackson declined to speak with reporters after the hearing, merely confirming their names and relationship to the family.
Letter: Diana Ross also gave testimony as she had been named in the singer's will as another potential guardian
Their letter and one submitted by Diana Ross were not filed with the court and will not be made public, court officials said.
Katherine Jackson's attorney, Sandra Ribera, disputed their claims that her client is being improperly influenced.
She said: 'Mrs. Jackson is well informed. Mrs. Jackson is a strong woman who cannot be influenced by anyone when it comes to decisions about these children.'
TJ was appointed a temporary guardian last month when Katherine Jackson was incommunicado during a stay at an Arizona spa with relatives.
Beckloff has said Katherine Jackson is doing a great job raising Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson, but noted that having a co-guardian will allow for continuity in their lives if she is no longer able to serve.
TJ Jackson was a relative unknown to the public before the recent rift in the family.
He performs in a band called 3T along with his brothers and was close to his uncle, Michael, before the pop star died in June 2009 at age 50.
TJ Jackson is a cousin of the children and has remained close to them in the years since the singer's death.
Wednesday's hearing had been expected to be a legal formality and although Beckloff made time to hear the cousins' grievances, the judge didn't waver in his view that the co-guardianship arrangement was appropriate.
He noted that it is frequently employed in other cases.
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