Los Angeles, Aug 4 (DPA) Michael Jackson's mother was granted custody of his three children Monday as his family went to court in an effort to gain greater control over the late singer's estate.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff affirmed a settlement reached last week between Jackson's mother, Katherine, and Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife and the mother of the two oldest kids.

The court also granted Mrs Jackson an undisclosed monthly allowance from her son's estate. Jackson's children were also provided a monthly allowance by the court.

The agreement does not involve any financial payments to Rowe 'apart from the continuation of spousal support payments' that Michael Jackson agreed to make to Rowe after their divorce, their lawyers said in a joint statement. Rowe will get visits with the children as recommended by a court-appointed psychologist.