Paris Jackson has petitioned the Los Angeles Superior Court to demand a $US600 million ($860 million) preliminary distribution from her late father Michael Jackson’s estate, accusing longtime executor John Branca of withholding funds and maintaining an iron grip over the beneficiaries.
The 28-year-old singer filed the court documents on October 29, arguing that there is no legitimate reason for the Michael Jackson Family Trust to remain unfunded more than 17 years after the pop icon’s death. According to the filing obtained by Page Six, the estate has generated billions of dollars in gross earnings since 2009, yet the siblings—Paris, Prince, and Bigi—receive restricted payments rather than the income stipulated in their father’s will.
Court Allegations and the Dispute Over Executor Control
Michael Jackson’s will mandated that his children begin receiving income from their respective trust portions upon turning 21. Paris alleges that John Branca bypassed this directive, opting instead to dispense smaller, discretionary amounts determined entirely by the executor.
Here is why that matters: the petition claims this financial gatekeeping serves to discourage the siblings from questioning Branca’s administration. When Paris began challenging estate operations last year—specifically objecting to non-contractual gifts made to colleagues—she faced what the filing characterizes as scorched-earth litigation, public attacks, and a multimillion-dollar reduction in financial support.
Branca’s history with the Jackson family spans decades. The attorney and chairman of the Michael Jackson Company was originally hired by the singer in 1985. He resigned over financial disagreements in 2006, only to return to the fold just eight days before Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at age 50.
Estate Assets Reach Multi-Billion Dollar Values Through Major Sales
The legal filing outlines a massive accumulation of wealth managed by the estate. Through December 2024, gross earnings exceeded $US2.5 billion ($3.6 billion), placing the total estimated value of the estate between $US2 billion ($2.9 billion) and $US3 billion ($4.3 billion).
| Transaction Year | Asset Sold | Buyer | Deal Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | EMI Music Publishing (10% interest) | Sony | $287.5 million |
| 2020 | Neverland Ranch | $22 million | |
| 2023 | Intellectual Property (50% interest) | Sony | $750 million upfront |
Paris points to these transactions as proof of immense liquidity. As of December 2024, the estate reportedly held approximately $US850 million ($1.2 billion) in cash and cash equivalents. Even after accounting for potential liabilities, the petition estimates that $US600 million remains readily available for distribution to the family trust without jeopardizing creditors.
Under the terms of the trust, Michael Jackson intended for his children to receive one-third of their principal at age 30, half of the remaining share at 35, and the balance at 40. Prince is set to turn 30 in four months, Paris turns 29 in April, and Bigi turns 25 in February.
Representatives Defend Administration Amid Ongoing Tax Litigation
Representatives for the estate strongly reject the allegations of financial withholding. A spokesperson for the Michael Jackson Estate issued a statement to Page Six defending its administration.
Ms. Jackson’s counsel is well aware that the Estate is prevented from fully funding the charitable foundation and the individual trusts for the beneficiaries until several legal hurdles have been removed, including in particular the ongoing IRS litigation, where they sought $US700 million in taxes and penalties from the Estate. Page Six
The estate’s statement adds that while a ruling successfully reduced that tax liability, the dispute remains unsettled. Representatives called the claim that payments were cut a complete fabrication, maintaining that more than $US200 million has already been distributed to or for the benefit of Paris and her brothers.
Paris argues that ongoing tax matters no longer justify withholding the entirety of the estate’s assets, noting that nearly all significant creditor claims have been resolved. She is asking the court to order the transfer of the $US600 million to the family trust and to cover her legal fees.
A decisive hearing in the Los Angeles Superior Court is scheduled for December.
