The ongoing legal dispute between Michael Jackson's daughter Paris and the executors of his estate has intensified, with new allegations of financial mismanagement and "skimming" emerging from court filings. The conflict centres on the administration of one of music history's most valuable catalogues, now valued at approximately $2 billion.
The Estate's Transformation From Debt to Billions
When Michael Jackson died from cardiac arrest on 25 June 2009, he was preparing for a 50-show London residency while facing severe financial pressure. His personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, later revealed the singer was "broke" and desperate to buy a family home. The King of Pop left behind debts exceeding $500 million to various creditors.
Attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain were appointed as executors, tasked with resolving the financial chaos. Over sixteen years, they engineered a remarkable turnaround, transforming the estate into what court documents describe as a "powerhouse in the music business." Major transactions included selling a 50% stake in Jackson's catalogue to Sony in 2024 for a rumoured $600 million, following the 2016 sale of Beatles publishing rights to the same company.
Other significant asset sales included Neverland Ranch, which went to billionaire Ronald Burkle for $22 million in 2020. The estate continues to control valuable rights, including those for the Broadway production MJ the Musical and the forthcoming biopic Michael, scheduled for release in April 2026.
Escalating Tensions and Legal Challenges
The estate's beneficiaries—Jackson's children Prince, Bigi, and Paris—have received substantial distributions, but recent months have seen growing public conflict. In July 2025, Paris Jackson filed an objection to executors' request for legal fees, expressing concern about "irregular payments" and "premium payments for unrecorded attorney time."
Her legal team argued these payments "raise serious and substantial questions about Executors' ability to effectively supervise counsel." The dispute escalated on 4 August 2025, when Paris filed a motion directly accusing a "closely-knit, highly-compensated group of lawyers" of exploiting oversight gaps "to skim money from the Estate."
The executors vigorously defended their record, noting in an October 2025 filing that Paris has received approximately $65 million in benefits from the estate. They credited their "business judgment" for transforming an estate that "started out as nothing but debt" into a $2 billion enterprise.
Family Divisions and Biopic Controversy
The estate conflict has revealed family divisions beyond Paris's objections. In March 2024, Jackson's son Bigi filed to prevent his grandmother Katherine from using estate funds for a legal battle, revealing she had received more than $55 million since Jackson's death, including a $166,000 monthly allowance.
The upcoming biopic Michael has become another point of contention. In a November 2025 filing, Paris questioned Branca's role as executive producer and his decision to cast A-list actor Miles Teller to portray himself in the film. The filing suggested this "peculiar and presumably costly casting decision" might not deliver commensurate box office returns.
Despite a procedural setback on 10 November 2025, when Los Angeles Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff dismissed some claims, Paris's representatives confirmed she "will continue working to ensure her family is treated fairly" and would submit updated filings.
Jonathan Steinsapir, attorney for the estate, previously described Paris's claims as "baseless and defamatory," noting the "historic turnaround and success of the Estate of Michael Jackson on behalf of his children speaks for itself." The legal battle continues as both sides prepare for further court proceedings.
