The same executors Paris Jackson accuses of letting lawyers “skim money from the estate” now want her to bankroll their defense to the tune of $115,000.
John Branca and John McClain—the longtime executors of Michael Jackson’s billion-dollar estate—have asked a Los Angeles judge to order Paris Jackson to pay $115,000 in legal fees tied to the very fight she launched to expose their spending.
The Jan. 9 filing seeks $94,000 for past attorney costs and an additional $21,000 for future expenses, according to Us Weekly.
Why Paris Is Battling the Estate
Paris first raised red flags in 2018, telling the court she had spotted a pattern of last-minute, unexplained hikes in payments to outside law firms. In one six-month stretch, the executors requested $625,000 for “uncaptured time” without invoices or detailed justification.
Her attorney blasted the practice as “lavish gratuities bestowed upon already well-compensated counsel,” adding that the paperwork “suggests a group of closely-knit, highly-compensated lawyers is exploiting Executors’ lack of oversight to skim money from the Estate, in plain view.”
Branca and McClain counter that the fees are standard for complex entertainment estates and that all payouts received prior court approval.
The Latest Court Maneuver
The fee request follows a recent defeat for Paris: a judge declined to block the executors from issuing fresh payments to their legal teams. The ruling was procedural, but the estate’s counsel quickly used it as leverage to argue Paris should foot their escalating bill.
A rep for Paris dismissed the move, telling Parade:
“It’s no surprise the executors and their lawyers are using every tool at their disposal to take even more money from the Jackson family and use it to line their own pockets. Paris remains undeterred and will continue fighting for transparency, accountability, and fairness.”
What’s at Stake
- Money: The estate earns tens of millions yearly; every legal fee Paris challenges could save six-figure sums for the beneficiaries—primarily Michael’s three children.
- Precedent: If the court grants the fee request, it signals to other heirs that questioning executor bills can carry a personal price tag.
- Control: Paris’ broader goal is to force open the books, potentially paving the way for enhanced oversight or even a future bid to remove Branca and McClain.
Inside the Numbers
Since Michael Jackson’s 2009 death, the estate has generated over $2 billion through music sales, the Cirque du Soleil show, and the Sony/ATV catalog deal. Legal and management fees routinely top $50 million annually, according to past accounting reports filed with the probate court.
Paris’ camp contends even a fractional reduction in “soft” costs like unexplained legal bills could redirect millions to arts education and children’s charities—causes her father championed.
What Happens Next
A hearing on the fee petition is expected within 60 days. Paris’ attorneys plan to file an updated motion loaded with fresh exhibits they say document “inconsistent invoices and duplicate billing.” Meanwhile, estate lawyers insist the request is routine and fully supported by California probate code.
Regardless of the outcome, the public battle has already achieved one of Paris’ objectives: every future invoice will land under a microscope, and fans worldwide are watching.
Stay locked on onlytrustedinfo.com for the fastest, most authoritative breakdown of every new filing in this high-stakes family showdown.
