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LOS ANGELES, Jan 23 — Attorneys for Michael Jackson’s estate said they should not have to pay the late pop star’s father, Joe, a reported US$15,000 (RM51,000) monthly allowance.

In papers filed on Thursday, attorneys for the estate argued Joe Jackson was never dependent on his son when alive, and that the estate should not have to pay his expenses now because he was excluded from the “Thriller” singer’s will.

The papers state that Joe Jackson sought the allowance for air travel, hotel, assistants and legal fees, and to support his children and grandchildren.

Joe Jackson, 81, said in November that his expenses exceed US$20,000 a month but that his income from US Social Security is a mere US$1,700.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff set a Jan 28 hearing on the request. Joe Jackson’s lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Michael Jackson provided for his mother and three children in a trust created to disburse funds from his estate, which is believed to have been boosted by at least US$200 million due to sales of his music and other products.

But he had a contentious relationship with his father, who he accused of abusing him when he was younger, and did not include Joe in his will.

Jackson died on June 25 at age 50 from an overdose of powerful medications. Police are probing his death in an investigation focused on Jackson’s personal doctor. — Reuters