Paris Jackson has secured a major legal victory in the ongoing dispute over her late father Michael Jackson’s estate.
A Los Angeles judge ruled in favor of the 28-year-old after she challenged $625,000 in payments allegedly made in 2018 as bonuses to outside law firms by estate executors John Branca and John McClain.
The decision means the money will now have to be returned to Michael Jackson’s estate, marking a significant development in the legal battle over how the late pop star’s finances are managed.
Paris Jackson became one of the beneficiaries of Michael Jackson’s estate after his death in 2009, along with her brothers Prince Jackson and Bigi Jackson.
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Team Paris Jackson hails ruling as ‘massive win’
After the court’s decision, spokeswoman Paris Jackson called the ruling a significant step toward greater accountability and transparency.
“Paris has always focused on what is best for her family and this decision is a huge win for her,” the spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Independent.
“After years of delays, the Jackson family will finally see the measure of transparency and accountability that Paris fought for. The Jackson Estate is supposed to be a prudent, fiscally responsible entity that supports the Jackson family – not a slush fund that helps John Branco live out his Hollywood mogul fantasies.”
The remarks drew attention online, particularly for a reference to Branco’s alleged “Hollywood mogul fantasies,” which some reports linked to the recent Michael Jackson biopic. Paris Jackson reportedly publicly opposed the project, despite several members of Jackson’s family being associated with it.
Branca was portrayed by Miles Teller in the film.
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Real estate executors react to court decisions
The executors of the estate also released a statement after the verdict, pointing out that the judge had recognized what they described as their “extraordinary service to the estate”.
“We are pleased that the court itself recognized and appreciated the work of the executors and their outside counsel in today’s decision,” Branca and McClain said in a statement shared with The Independent.
“While the Court has approved several other bonuses to outside counsel over the years for their extraordinary services, and this was the first time they were challenged, the executors always understood that legal fees were subject to court approval and always required the outside counsel to agree to return any funds to the estate if the payments were not approved.
The executives also clarified that none of the disputed $625,000 in bonuses was paid directly to them.
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They further stated that there were “no unreasonable payments” that benefited them personally.
“Ultimately, while we disagree with the decision, we fully respect it and plan to move forward accordingly,” the statement added.
Court filings reveal escalating tensions
The latest ruling follows months of increasingly public legal disagreements between Paris Jackson and the executors of the estate.
According to reports, Paris previously accused Branca and McClain of trying to publicly discredit and humiliate her after she questioned financial decisions regarding the property.
“This excessive litigation is a waste,” Paris said in an April 6 filing. “At almost every hearing…Executives try to avoid the merits by characterizing Paris’s concerns as lawyerly or in the service of some perceived desire for media attention. Neither is true.”
The filing goes on to say, “This lawsuit is painful for Paris. It’s distracting from her own life and her own career. She would prefer there was no press coverage.”
Paris Jackson’s lawyers also accused executors of using Michael Jackson’s money against her in public disputes.
“These attacks may serve Mr. Branca’s personal interest in trying to force Paris into submission, but they have nothing to do with the merits of the lawsuit and are not in the interest of the estate,” the filing states.
“The fact that Michael Jackson’s money is paying for these attacks makes them even more offensive.”
What happens next?
Attorneys involved in the matter are now expected to file additional accounting records for real estate attorney fees between 2019 and 2024, according to reports.
These applications are expected to be submitted by September 15.
