Michael Jackson's mother can challenge the administrators of his estate without losing her share in a family trust, a Los Angeles judge has ruled.
Katherine Jackson's lawyers had said she wanted more say in the estate even though Jackson's will contained a "no contest" clause to the family trust.
The singer appointed his long-time lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain as executors.
The family trust gives Mrs Jackson more than $1m (£606,000) a year.
The money from the estate is to be used to support herself and her son's three children.
The amount was approved by a judge in Los Angeles in August. Michael Jackson's estate is estimated to be worth $400m (£246m).
Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled on Friday that Katherine Jackson would not violate the "no contest" clause if she were to challenge decisions of the estate's administrators.
Court cases
Michael Jackson is thought to have left about $400m (£246m) in debt when he died in June but his assets are estimated to outweigh considerably his debts.
The singer had partial ownership of the Sony/ATV music catalogue and many Beatles songs.
The singer's three children also receive a monthly allowance of $60,000 (£37,000). Various charities also benefit.
After his death, Michael Jackson's children went to live with their grandmother at the family home in north Los Angeles.
They are still living there and Katherine Jackson has been granted permanent guardianship.
Judge Beckloff has been presiding over a string of court cases regarding the unravelling of Michael Jackson's estate, his business dealings and the wrangling over future earnings.
There are plans to produce a wide range of Michael Jackson memorabilia and a movie including footage from rehearsals for his planned comeback tour will be released in late October.
Branca and McClain have said they expect the merchandising to have boosted the late singer's estate by $200m (£123m) by the end of 2009.
Michael Jackson died from high levels of drugs in his body including the powerful anaesthetic propofol, more commonly used on hospital patients before surgery.
A police investigation into how he procured the drug has focussed on his personal physician Dr Conrad Murray. No charges have yet been brought in relation to the singer's death.
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