Paris Jackson filed a petition in Los Angeles asking a judge to order a $600 million distribution from Michael Jackson's estate to a family trust for her and her brothers. She also seeks lower pay for executor John Branca. The estate denies wrongdoing, and a hearing is set for December 4.
Paris Jackson filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 29 asking a judge to order a preliminary $600 million distribution from Michael Jackson's estate to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. The trust is meant to benefit her and her siblings, and she argues that she and her brothers have waited more than 17 years for it to be funded. The filing was directed at John Branca, the executor of the estate.
What the filing alleges
Paris Jackson accuses Branca of maintaining tight control over the siblings by deciding when and if they receive money from the estate. She alleges the trust meant to benefit her and her brothers has stayed unfunded even though the estate has made millions of dollars for years. The filing states that, even with potential liabilities considered, the estate holds approximately $600 million in distributable cash. The estate reportedly held about $850 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 2024.
Her side claimed that the 2018 EMI Music Publishing stake sale for $287.5 million, the 2020 Neverland Ranch sale for $22 million and a 2023 Sony deal brought in more than $1 billion in cash. The filing says Michael Jackson intended each sibling to begin receiving outright principal distributions on their thirtieth birthdays. It adds that Prince turns 30 in four months, Paris turns 29 in April, and Bigi turns 25 in February. Paris Jackson also alleges the will provided children one-third of principal by age 30 and half of remaining shares at 35.
Branca's compensation
Paris Jackson is also continuing a legal battle with Branca over his reported request for more than $100 million in compensation. She asks the retired judge overseeing the estate to reduce his compensation from 15 percent to 10 percent of the estate's gross entertainment-related income. She wants the reduction applied retroactively to 2023 and kept until Branca submits complete and accurate accountings through 2026.
The estate's response
The estate is pushing back, describing Paris Jackson's claims as nonsensical and absurd. A spokesperson for the Branca-led estate said the motion is completely without merit. The spokesperson said the executors waived executor compensation from the beginning and have never taken any, and are paid a separate, court-ordered management fee.
The spokesperson characterized the claim that the executor withheld or cut payments as a complete fabrication. The spokesperson said more than $200 million has been distributed to or for the benefit of Paris and other beneficiaries. The estate said it cannot fully fund the charitable foundation and individual trusts until legal hurdles are removed, including ongoing IRS litigation in which $700 million in taxes and penalties was sought. Jackson's legal team argued the estate has generated significant money from business deals and property sales, including its EMI Music Publishing interest, the Neverland Ranch sale and a Sony deal.
Hearing date
A hearing on the request is scheduled for December 4 with retired Judge Mitchell Beckloff.
