Almost two weeks after the death of the iconic singer, Los Angeles is expected to grind to a standstill as devotees gather to celebrate Jackson's life and times in a glittering send-off.

Jackson's family and close friends will attend a private funeral service for the star at 4pm at the picturesque Forest Lawn Memorial Park nestled in the Hollywood Hills above Los Angeles.

Police have confirmed that Jackson's body - resting in a $25,000 gold-plated casket - will then be transported to the lavish public memorial at the 20,000-capacity Staples Centre starting at 6pm.

It was not clear where Jackson's body would be taken after the memorial.

Around 17,500 ticket holders will watch the memorial show. More than 1,000 tickets have been given out by the family to friends of the singer.

Performers expected to take to the stage include Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Jennifer Hudson and Brooke Shields.

The tribute is expected to last over 90 minutes and will be beamed around the world on a live television feed at 1800 BST.

At LA's superior court, the focus is on the legal complications from the large and convoluted estate Jackson left behind.

A will dated 2002 valued Jackson's net worth at half a billion dollars; it is estimated to be worth half that today. But yesterday the family lost its fight to control his business dealings.

Now the will's co-executors, lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain are the administrators.

Their immediate task is to unpick Jackson's complex financial arrangements.

Another hearing has been set for August 3rd.

A court rulling on who will gain permanent custody of the two eldest children has been delayed until next week, and the pressure on their mother is beginning to show.

Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife and the mother of his two eldest children, lashed out after being jostled by reporters and cameraman.

"Don't touch me." Rowe shouted, pointing her finger at a cameraman.

"Are you ready to fight for your children?" a journalist persisted.

"Are you ready to get your butt kicked?" she replied. "Don't ****ing touch me."

Ms Rowe has decided to skip today's tribute. Her spokesman said she didn't want to be an "unnecessary distraction".

:: Sky is broadcasting Michael Jackson - The Farewell at 5:30pm today in high definition on the Sky News website, on Sky Arts HD (channel 258) and on Sky News.