LOS ANGELES - MICHAEL Jackson's father is seeking an allowance from his son's estate to help cover expenses that exceed US$15,000 (S$21,000) a month, according to court documents filed Friday.

The request seeking an unspecified amount for Joe Jackson was filed by lawyer Brian Oxman, who said there was no apparent reason for the administrators of the estate to not seek an allowance for the Jackson family patriarch.

Michael Jackson's 2002 will, however, omitted any mention of his father. The two had an often strained relationship, and Michael Jackson said at one point that he would get physically sick - as a child and as an adult - at the sight of his father.

The singer's private trust calls for money to be paid to his mother, Katherine, his three young children, and various charities.

The latest court documents say Joe Jackson receives a US$1,700 monthly Social Security payment and had relied on his son for support for many years.

'He does not have a regular or steady source of income, and he was dependent upon the money provided by his son, Michael Jackson, through his wife, Katherine Jackson, for his support,' the filing states. -- AP