Clan splits over fight to control Jacko will.

Byline: MARTIN FRICKER

THE Jackson clan is split by a bitter feud over Michael's will, it was claimed yesterday.

The eccentric pop star left 40% of his estate to mum Katherine, 40% to his three kids and the rest to charity.

But Katherine, 79, has hired a lawyer to challenge the executors Jacko chose - John Branca and John McClain. Son Randy, 47, backs her but most of his brothers do not.

Dad Joe, 79 - left out of the 2002 will - is said to have "asserted his influence" over his wife to get her to launch the legal battle.

Influential showbiz website tmz.com said: "Sources say she is being manipulated and doesn't have objections."

But Joe, speaking about his son's will, told chatshow host Larry King: "That's the way he wanted it.

"It's not going to hurt me that I was left out of his will. But it happened."

And the clan could be about to agree to bury him at his Neverland ranch, other reports say.

Katherine is said to have softened her opposition to his brothers' desire to make it his final resting place.

But that is said to depend on the site, controlled by private investors, being passed to his kids Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, seven.

A source told People magazine: "Katherine would relent if it could be arranged for Michael's children to gain ownership. If they could have complete ownership, Katherine would approve."

But some locals in Santa Barbara, California, have formed a group to oppose Jacko being buried there.

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