Hot on the heels of Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine going to court in an attempt to increase her monthly $26,000 allowance from her son’s estate, Jermaine Jackson, 55, is now saying he can’t pay his designated child support because his business and career are both struggling.

Jackson has filed papers in LA County Superior Court appealing his $3,000 per month child support for sons Jaafar and Jermajesty. Jackson says his average monthly income is $1,100 and is asking for his payments to be reduced to $200 a month.

Jackson did have a big pay day in 2007 - $450,000 for his UK Big Brother stint - but has not had income to match it since. He also claims his children’s mother Alejandra earns more than he does.

Jaafar and Jermajesty are Jackson’s two youngest of seven children. (The mother of his three eldest children is Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown founder Berry). Widely considered the second most successful Jackson brother, Jermaine announced Michael’s death to the media outside UCLA hospital, Los Angeles on June 25 2009. It was also Jermaine who sang what most believed was his brother Michael’s favourite song, ‘Smile’ by Charlie Chaplin, at his public memorial. 

Listen to 'Smile' as sung by Jermaine Jackson during brother Michael's memorial below: