JACKSON ORDERED TO PAY ATTORNEY'S FEES

Last updated: Thursday, September 7, 2006

JACKSON ORDERED TO PAY ATTORNEY'S FEES

LATEST: MICHAEL JACKSON has been ordered by a judge to pay $60,000 (GBP33,000) in attorney fees to his ex-wife DEBBIE ROWE as she pursues a custody case against the pop superstar.

Superior Court Judge ROBERT A SCHNIDER gave the singer until 28 September (06) to meet the order.

He did not rule on whether to grant Rowe visitation rights to the couple's two children, PRINCE MICHAEL and PARIS.

Rowe had sought $195,000 (GBP108,000) toward her attorney fees, but Schnider declined, noting that she had received an $8 million (GBP4 million) divorce settlement.

The judge said during his ruling, "She has millions of dollars, so she should be able to contribute to her own fees."

According to Rowe's attorney, ERIC M GEORGE, the judge left open the possibility that she can seek additional fees later.

Neither Rowe nor Jackson, who now lives in Bahrain, attended the hearing.

The couple married in 1996, but filed for divorce in 1999 and Rowe later gave up custody rights to the children.

She asked a judge to reinstate them in 2003 after Jackson had been arrested in child molestation charges.

In February (06) a California state appeals court ruled that her parental right had not been properly relinquished under the law.

Attorneys for both parties are scheduled to meet next Tuesday (12SEPT06) to discuss settling the custody case.

Jackson's attorney MICHAEL ABRAMS adds, "Hopefully all issues will be settled. In one week, this case may be over."

| Thursday, September 7, 2006

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