A judge has appointed Michael Jackson's nephew to share guardianship responsibilities for the late singer's three children.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff during a hearing Wednesday named TJ Jackson as a co-guardian of the children who range in age from 10 to 15.

TJ Jackson will share responsibilities with Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine, who has cared for the children since the singer's death three years ago.

Michael Jackson's nephew, TJ Jackson, shown here in November 2003, will become the co-guardian of the late singer's three children. (Eric Fougere/VIP Images/Corvis via Associated Press)

TJ Jackson is the son of Tito Jackson and performs with his brothers in the band 3T. According to court filings, he has remained close to his cousins, Prince, Paris and Blanket, since their father's death.

He was appointed a temporary guardian last month when Katherine Jackson was absent for several days and out of communication.

Michael Jackson's children back in grandma's hands

Katherine and TJ Jackson have agreed to the co-guardianship arrangement, which is aimed at alleviating stress on the children's 82-year grandmother. The agreement calls for the other to assume sole guardianship duties if the other is unable to serve any longer.

TJ Jackson was a relative unknown to the public before the recent rift in the family. He was close to his uncle, Michael, before the pop star died unexpectedly in June 2009 at age 50.

Three of Michael Jackson's siblings, sisters Janet and Rebbie and younger brother Randy, have all expressed concerns about the administrators of the singer's estate and called on his executors to resign. The window to contest the singer's will is closed, but the trio said as recently as last week that challenging the executors remains their priority.

Jackson's estate has generated more than $475 million US in gross earnings since the singer's death. He left his estate to benefit his mother and children, with a share allocated to unspecified charities.