Why Paris Jackson is seeking $600 million from Michael Jackson’s estate nearly 17 years after his death

Synopsis

Paris Jackson has filed a petition for a $600 million transfer to the Michael Jackson Family Trust. She claims that the estate's executors have not followed the distribution schedule set in Jackson's will. Legal disputes have prevented the full funding of the trust and reduced payments to beneficiaries. The estate representatives deny Paris's allegations and note that over $200 million has been distributed thus far.

Paris Jackson has sought a $600 million transfer to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, alleging that the executors of her late father’s estate have failed to fund the trust intended to benefit her and her brothers, Prince and Bigi. In a petition filed before the Los Angeles Superior Court on October 29, the singer and actor accused executor John Branca of exercising excessive control over the estate’s funds and delaying their distribution, according to court documents seen by Art to Zoom.

Paris has argued that the trust has remained unfunded despite the estate generating substantial revenue over several years and continuing to earn millions. She alleged that Branca has maintained an “iron grip” over the money, controlling how and when funds are allocated to Michael Jackson’s children.

According to the petition, the late pop star’s will laid down a distribution schedule under which his children were to receive portions of the trust after turning 21. However, Paris claimed that instead of following those provisions, the executors have given the beneficiaries considerably smaller amounts at their discretion.

Paris Jackson alleges payments were reduced after she sought legal help

The dispute between Paris and the estate’s executors has continued since last year, with the singer raising several concerns about how the estate is being managed. These reportedly include allegations that Branca provided “non-contractual gifts” to colleagues.

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Paris has also claimed that the amounts already distributed to her and her brothers were reduced by millions of dollars after she sought legal assistance last year to address her concerns about the estate’s administration.

The petition states that Michael Jackson’s will was designed to ensure that his children would receive one-third of the principal amount by the time they turned 30, followed by half of their remaining shares at the age of 35. Paris has argued that the current approach to managing the estate does not reflect those provisions.

To support her demand, she cited transactions and revenue generated by the estate over the years, which she said had accumulated to approximately $1 billion before taxes. She maintained that pending tax proceedings and other litigation did not justify withholding the money, arguing that the estate had sufficient funds to make the requested distribution.

The petition described the estate’s current management and handling of beneficiary payments as a course of conduct that should not continue.

Michael Jackson estate denies allegations, cites IRS dispute

The estate’s representatives rejected Paris Jackson’s claims, saying that legal complications had prevented them from fully funding the charitable foundation and the individual trusts set up for the beneficiaries.

In a statement responding to the petition, the estate said its legal team was aware that the funds could not be fully transferred until several outstanding matters were resolved. It specifically cited ongoing litigation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which had sought approximately $700 million in taxes and penalties from the estate.

The representatives said they had secured a ruling that significantly reduced the amount being claimed by the IRS, but added that the dispute remained unresolved and the liability could still change.

The estate also dismissed Paris’s allegation that the executors had withheld or reduced payments, calling the claim a “complete fabrication”. It said that more than $200 million had already been distributed to or for the benefit of Paris and the other beneficiaries.

A further court meeting in the matter is scheduled for December. The dispute remains ongoing, and the claims made by both sides have yet to be settled through the court proceedings.

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