Michael Jackson’s parents are asserting that the singer died without a will, according to this AP story. This contradicts other reports that Jackson did have a will, which was in the possession of John Branca, his sometime attorney.

Since stories to that effect have already been published, it seems like his parents are at once, trying to slip one past the judge, or, if that fails, daring Branca to come forward. Jackson went to great lengths to keep his nutty family away from his affairs during his lifetime; it will be a cruel irony if, in his addled state, he didn’t take care to prevent them from getting their hands on it after his untimely death.

On the other hand, at least one report I’ve read said that at least one of his trusts had his mother as a trustee.