LOS ANGELES - The judge overseeing the guardianship of Michael Jackson's children wants an independent investigation into their well-being.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ordered an investigator to interview the three children independently and prepare a report that will be reviewed solely by him.

The order comes after nearly a week of turmoil in the Jackson family, including a driveway dispute between relatives on Monday and the absence and return of their grandmother this week.

The children range in ages from 10 to 15.

Beckloff ordered that the investigator have direct access to the children and authorized interviews to be conducted with them at their school.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. )