The family of Michael Jackson has not yet seen the late superstar's will and a lawyer says he's unable to confirm if one even exists.

In the clearest indication yet of the tangled web of legal issues that has arisen since the pop icon's death last Thursday, lawyer Londell McMillan told CNN that the Jacksons were in the dark over the singer's will.

Asked if Jackson had left a will, McMillan replied: "Well, there have been reports of one and we're trying to assess that now. None has been presented to the family at this time."

McMillan said if Jackson had not left a will his assets would go to his next of kin under California law.

"If there's no will then under the state of California it goes to the next of kin, that's an adult administering and overseeing for the best interests of the children ..." McMillan said.

Jackson's mother Katherine would be appointed to control her son's assets if they eventually passed to the family, he added.

AFP LOS ANGELES