Jackson Family

Katherine Jackson -- or someone claiming to be Katherine Jackson -- has doubled down in the family war, claiming again Michael's cousin, Trent, has been stealing from and bullying the matriarch.

Katherine has been MIA for months after allegedly leveling claims Trent has pilfered $40k out of her bank account and manipulated her into buying him a Cadillac. She's also claimed elder abuse.

Trent has said it's all BS ... that Katherine isn't really driving this, but rather it's Jermaine and some of her other kids in order to get control of MJ's Estate.

In the new declaration -- obtained by TMZ -- Katherine says she's in London because she's scared to come home for fear Trent will now seek revenge on her. She says she's now filled with stress and anxiety, and she's now taking new meds to cope.

Katherine also says she's had meeting with social workers from Adult Protective Services and they will vouch for the authenticity of her claims.

Katherine Jackson's fate and fortune may lie in the hands of one of her grandsons ... TMZ has learned.

Trent Jackson, Michael's cousin, and his attorney Ron Rale want TJ Jackson, Michael's nephew, to sit down with Katherine alone and decide who's the victim and who's the villain in what has become a family war.

TMZ broke the story ... Katherine has filed a legal doc claiming Trent has committed elder abuse against her and fleeced her to boot. But, we've now learned Trent and his lawyer have a plan to put the dispute to bed and, at the same time, cast suspicion on the motive of other Jackson relatives.

Rale's proposing that TJ -- the one person whose family loyalty has never been challenged -- sit down with Katherine to discuss the situation at hand. If at the end of the sit-down TJ believes Trent has done harm to Michael's mom, he'll leave for good and if Katherine wants him to stay, he will.

Trent, we're told, believes TJ's one-on-one with Katherine will not only absolve him of any wrongdoing, in the process he will cast doubt on the motives of other family members ... family members he believes are trying to get him out of the way so they have a clear path to the matriarch's bank account.

Trent and Rale are suspicious of other family members ... especially after a 2012 incident in which Trent and Michael's kids reported Katherine missing, only to learn some of her kids had taken her to Arizona. They essentially called it a kidnapping, saying some family members were trying to brainwash her into challenging Michael's Estate in a money grab.

Katherine Jackson is in the middle of a brewing family war, but Jermaine Jackson says he's only getting involved out of concern for his mother's health.

We got Jermaine leaving a hearing in L.A. Wednesday for Katherine's elderly abuse case. As we reported, the Jackson matriarch is accusing her nephew, Trent Lamar Jackson, of being an "abusive con-man."

Jermaine told us he's siding with Mom over his cousin, but not for any financial windfall ... as Trent has claimed.

Katherine wasn't in court, and ultimately the hearing was postponed because of that. Trent's attorney says he's served a notice have Katherine deposed on March 15, but her attorney says she won't show for that either.

Katherine Jackson is the victim of elder abuse at the hands of her nephew ... according to legal docs she just filed in Los Angeles.

Katherine just obtained a restraining order against Trent Lamar Jackson. In her papers she claims he is an "abusive con-man" who manipulated Mrs. Jackson for years so he could take control of her finances, stay rent-free in her guest house and estrange her from her kids.

She believes Trent was taking money from her accounts and says she has to hide in her closet so she can speak freely to her kids. Katherine says Rebbie and some of her other children are willing to testify against Trent.

Katherine also fears physical harm, saying, "Now that he knows his conduct will be revealed, she fears what he may do to her upon her return." She's currently in London visiting Janet.

The 86-year-old says she tried to fire Trent from his job as her nearly 6-figure driver on February 3, with the Sheriff present, but Trent took off just as deputies and her lawyer arrived.

Paris Jackson is a grown woman, and pretty damn impressive!

We got Michael Jackson's daughter leaving LAX Monday, where she obliquely talked about her move to conquer modeling and Hollywood.

It's pretty remarkable for someone who was once shrouded in masks, hats and anything else that could hide her from public view.

As for whether Michael would be proud ... she's banking on it.

Paris Jackson is making her move ... to conquer Hollywood -- with a little help from Lee Daniels.

We've learned Daniels met with Paris and discussed a possible role in his new Fox show, "Star," and she's seriously considering it.

That's just the beginning. We're told she's already booked 3 covers of major high-fashion mags, the first of which hits the stands this month.

And, we're told, the 18-year-old has been approached by multiple modeling agencies which think she's as marketable as any high-end model.

Paris has also been approached by several major brands that want her face on their products.

It's an amazing transformation for someone who was once shielded from public view and covered with masks and bundles of clothing when she ventured out.

Paris had some major issues as a teen, for which she received help, and as a result she wants to use her platform to be an advocate for people dealing with addiction and recovery.

God knows she understands tragedy and family drama. But she's coming out on the other end more than ok.

Paris Jackson is reminding her boyfriend why this is the most wonderful time of the year -- and it's got NOTHING to do with Santa, and everything to do with her bikini.

Paris and Michael Snoddy were making out and rolling around in the sand Wednesday on Maui. Michael's 18-year-old daughter and her peek-a-boo swimwear are making the most of the holiday break with her dude.

12:53 PM PT -- The judge just ruled Katherine knew exactly what she was doing when she replaced her previous attorney with Joy Bass ... saying there is no question in his mind.

Prince Jackson looked like man on a mission ... all in the name of his grandmother, Katherine Jackson.

Michael's son appeared in a Santa Monica court Monday for a hearing regarding Katherine getting a new attorney. The new lawyer is Joy Bass, and she says she's now representing Katherine in all matters related to Michael's estate.

This, apparently, was news to the Katherine's current attorney ... and sources close to the family tell TMZ Prince is in court now to tell the judge they're disputing the new attorney's claim she's now speaking for Katherine.

We got Prince and TJ Jackson (Tito's son) on the way into court and they were tight-lipped.

Paris Jackson returned to her old house, and made some new friends.

Michael Jackson's daughter went back to Neverland Ranch on Wednesday and toured the grounds she used to call home. She stopped by the petting zoo, where at least one llama and a few goats are still kicking it.

Paris said, "It felt so good to be home even for a little bit." It's unclear what prompted her homecoming trip -- though it clearly lifted her spirits after the rough time she's recently had on social media.

Perhaps she's shopping? Colony Capital listed Neverland last year for $100 million.

Michael Jackson's youngest kid, Blanket, who changed his name to Bigi Jackson, surfaced Sunday outside a Malibu market living up to his new name.

He's 14 now and ... as they say ... growing like a weed. Bigi's come a long way since that balcony scene with his dad.

#TimeFlies

Paris Jackson's alone and in charge ... living in the back guesthouse at Michael's old Encino mansion.

Sources close to the family tell TMZ ... Paris had been itching to cut the cord from living with her grandmother in Calabasas ... where Blanket and several of her cousins also live. We're told the family had security concerns about her living just anywhere, so it was suggested she use MJ's old compound.

Michael's estate controls all of his properties, meaning ... technically, Paris needed permission to live there. We're told she went to them, and pointed out she basically owns the crib as part of her trust -- and the estate didn't fight her.

As for why she's in the guesthouse -- the main house is being remodeled.

We're also told Paris is living there completely on her own. She and bf Michael Snoddy recently posted pics from the backyard -- he comes and goes, but does NOT live there.

Debbie Rowe just found out she must undergo chemo and radiation to fight her breast cancer that was recently diagnosed -- but if there is a silver lining, it's that the illness has brought Paris Jackson back into her life.

We've learned Paris -- who went radio silent on Debbie 2 years ago -- has been spending time with her mom since we broke the story last month she's fighting breast cancer. Paris has been visiting Debbie at her ranch and Debbie has gone to Paris' home, where the 2 have reestablished their bond. They're also texting ... a lot.

Debbie and Paris became very close after Paris' dad, Michael Jackson, died back in 2009. But a couple years ago Paris cut all ties ... wouldn't even return Debbie's calls.

Michael Jackson dressed up like a clown, or even faked illness, just to meet random women ... at least that's what the man who killed him is reportedly claiming in a tell-all book.

Talk about chutzpah ... Conrad Murray has written a memoir called, 'This Is It' ... in which he says he will reveal all kinds of family secrets about MJ, yet also claims he's giving him "due respect."

Some of the secrets reportedly in the book include Murray claiming Michael would put on a clown costume and then hire strippers and call girls to hang with him in hotel rooms.

Murray -- who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter -- also claims Michael would use fake accents and pretend he was a stroke victim as a ploy to meet women.

Murray was MJ's confidante -- as well as his doctor -- and reportedly writes extensively about his and Michael's frequent encounters with call girls while they were living in Las Vegas.

Best of all, Murray claims Michael wanted him to make all these revelations.

Paris Jackson apparently saw our story Monday -- that she's cut off all contact with her mom, Debbie Rowe, who's now battling breast cancer -- because we've learned Paris just contacted Debbie and proclaimed her love ... this according to Jackson family sources.

As we reported, Paris broke off contact with Debbie more than a year ago. We're told Paris' family was upset MJ's daughter had reconnected with Debbie after the singer's death and became close. On top of that, when Paris began acting out Debbie became the disciplinarian ... something Paris didn't like.

Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer recently and will undergo surgery. We're told Paris texted Debbie, "I love you," and it appears the 2 will meet up after the surgery.

Michael Jackson's ex-wife has breast cancer, and their estranged daughter doesn't even know.

We've learned Debbie Rowe was diagnosed recently and will undergo surgery in the next week, but her daughter, 18-year-old Paris Jackson, has no idea because she broke all contact with her mom more than a year ago.

Rowe has all but given up on salvaging the relationship. After Michael died, Debbie and Paris got extremely close, to the point it created friction with the rest of the family.

When Paris began dealing with her own problems, the relationship fell apart. Rowe believes the family influenced their daughter and drove a wedge.

Jermaine Jackson's wife is filing to divorce him and predictably ... she says the trouble started the day she got busted for attacking him.

Halima Rashid filed the divorce petition on Tuesday, citing irreconcilable differences, and listing November 28, 2015 as the date of separation.

If that date sounds familiar it's because TMZ broke the story ... Halima was arrested for felony corporal injury that day. During a fight on Thanksgiving weekend, Jermaine allegedly spit on her and she allegedly bit him on the leg.

Halima is seeking spousal support. They got married in 2004, but don't have any kids together ... so no child support issues. She was wife #3 for Jermaine.