LOS ANGELES--A Los Angeles court on Friday delayed the custody hearing for Michael Jackson's three children, which will now take place on July 20.

The hearing was scheduled to take place on July 13, but according to a court statement, it has been delayed at the request of Jackson's mother and his ex-wife Deborah Rowe.

"(The) guardianship hearing originally scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2009 will be continued to July 20, 2009," a statement said.

On June 29 a Los Angeles court named the star's 79-year-old mother Katherine Jackson as the temporary guardian of Prince Michael, Paris and younger brother Prince Michael II, who was born to a secret surrogate.

"All prior orders remain in full force and effect, with Katherine Jackson as temporary guardian of the children," the court said Friday.

But Rowe, who was married to Jackson from 1996 to 1999, has said she planned to fight for custody of her two children with the pop star.

A 2002 will filed in Los Angeles Superior Court revealed that Jackson wanted his mother to gain custody of his children in the event of his death, with soul legend Diana Ross named as a back-up guardian.

Rowe signed away her parental rights to her two children in 2001, describing Jackson as a "wonderful man... a brilliant father."

However a Los Angeles judge reversed the order in 2004 after Rowe cited concerns over publicity related to Jackson's prosecution for child molestation.

Rowe later settled the case with Jackson, reportedly securing visitation rights.