SINGER Michael Jackson's father is seeking an allowance from his son's estate to help cover expenses that exceed $15,000 (£9,000) a month.
According to court documents filed in Los Angeles Joe Jackson has made his request through lawyers who say there is no apparent reason to withhold it.
Michael Jackson's 2002 will, however, omitted any mention of his father. The two had an often
-strained relationship, and Michael – who died of a drugs overdose earlier this year at the age of 50 – said at one point that he would become physically sick at the sight of his father.
The singer's private trust calls for money to be paid to his mother, Katherine, his three children and various charities.
A judge has approved more than $26,000 in payments to Katherine Jackson each month, and a $60,000 monthly payment for the care of the children.
The latest court documents said Joe Jackson receives a $1,700 monthly social security payment and had relied on his son for support for many years. "He does not have a regular or steady source of income, and he was dependent upon the money provided by his son, Michael Jackson, through his wife, Katherine Jackson, for his support," the filing stated.
"It was quite surprising to learn of the request," Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the administrators of Jackson's estate, said in a statement. "Mr Jackson's petition will be considered as are all requests for money from Michael's estate."
Joe Jackson suffers from diabetes and had a stroke in 1998, the filing stated.
A former steelworker, he trained and managed the Jackson Five. He has been married to Katherine for 50 years, but he lists his home in Las Vegas, while she lives north of Los Angeles.
The filings are inconsistent in several places, listing Joe Jackson's age as 80 in one place and 81 in another.
A declaration states his monthly expenses exceed $20,000, but an itemised list only includes slightly more than $15,000.
