Katherine Jackson Wants Co-Guardianship With T.J.; Conrad Murray Invites Matriarch to Visit Him in Jail

Grandmother's lawyer is looking to persuade a court to give her shared custody of Michael's kids; meanwhile the disgraced doctor found responsible for M.J.'s death wants to speak with her

The Jackson family squabble has taken another unexpected turn.

Perry Sanders, an attorney for Katherine Jackson tells E! News he plans to file paperwork on her behalf next week seeking a joint guardianship for Michael Jackson's three children, Paris, Prince and Blanket, between the matriarch and her grandson T.J. Jackson.

"That pleading will essentially now legally reflect how Mrs. Jackson and T.J. have often shared responsibilities of raising the children since Michael Jackson's tragic passing," Sanders said in a statement released to X17. "It will also make clear for school personnel and anyone else coming into contact with the children that T.J. is authorized to act on their behalf. Mrs. Jackson will then be freed up to focus on the more personal everyday decision making related to the lives and activities of the children."

Tito Jackson's son T.J. was appointed the kids' temporary guardian on Wednesday following an emergency court hearing that occurred after several of Michael's siblings flew the 82-year-old to Arizona in an apparent attempt to wrest away control of his multimillion-dollar estate.

T.J. meanwhile faxed over his application today to the court to be named the permanent guardian after being informed during Wednesday's hearing by Judge Mitchell Beckloff that he had 48 hours to do so.

Per the papers obtained by E! News, T.J. "has been very involved in their [the kids] lives since the death of their father. The court has temporarily suspended the guardian [Katherine] and the proposed guardian is acting as temporary guardian. Recent events have highlighted the need for continuity for the minor children."

However, T.J.'s application indicates he's open to a shared type of guardianship situation.

"The proposed guardian is the first choice of the suspended guardian," the application states. " Should the court find it appropriate to reinstate the supended guardiann the court should appoint proposed guardian as co-Guardian." A hearing is set for Aug 22.

But as part of determining who best can look after Paris, Prince and Blanket, E! News has learned Beckloff ordered a probate court investigator named Cary Ornelas to interview the threesome at their school  on an "unannounced basis" so Ornelas can report back only to him as to who would be the most suitable permanent guardian, Katherine or T.J., or both. He also ordered that the investigator's report "shall not be disseminated to any parties."

If His Honor does approve the joint custody request, Sanders notes the new arrangement will allow Katherine to better make the day-to-day decisions concerning the trio's care.

"Mrs. Jackson is extremely pleased with the prospect of enjoying the pleasure of raising Michael's children without the day to day tedium of items such as managing the large staff that goes with such a high profile family and focus her attention on being a grandmother and raising Michael's children," the legal eagle added.

A who's who in the Jackson family drama

One question that remains however is whether Katherine will turn her attention to an unexpected invitation from Dr. Conrad Murray to pay him a visit in the slammer.

The cardiologist is serving a four-year sentence in Los Angeles County jail after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of her legendary son.

But according to CNN, which broke the news, lawyer Murray's lawyers extended the invite on his behalf saying Murray wanted to help bring peace to the elder Jackson by answering "any questions she might have."

"I've been told that she has a desire to speak with me before she departs this life," the disgraced physician said in a statement through his legal team. "Seeing that she is up in age and in questionable health, and the fact that she is the mother of a very dear departed friend, it would give me great pleasure to sit with her one on one and answer any questions she might have."

He continued: "I do not want Mrs. Jackson to suffer. She remains as dear to me as my own mother, unbeknownst to her."

Murray added that while he's unable to keep up much with the news behind bars, he does see occasional clips and noticed Katherine "appeared to be extremely sad."

"I also heard she is having a difficult time," he said.

No word whether Jackson will take him up on his offer. A rep for Katherine was unavailable for comment.

—Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum