Jackson Heir Challenges Estate Management Amid Financial Concerns
Paris Jackson has intensified her legal confrontation with the executors overseeing her late father Michael Jackson's estate, filing a formal objection in Los Angeles Superior Court this week. The 27-year-old expressed significant concerns about financial management and transparency issues affecting her and her brothers Prince, 28, and Bigi, 23.
Delayed Documentation Raises Alarm Bells
The recent court filing highlights that the Jackson siblings only received accounting documents for the 2021 calendar year in September of this year - approximately four years later than expected. This substantial delay has raised serious questions about the estate's administration under executors John Branca and John McClain.
Paris Jackson's legal team documented particular concern about enormous sums of cash allegedly left uninvested during this period. According to the filing, $464 million in estate funds earned only 0.1 percent interest, whereas proper investment could have generated approximately $41 million in returns.
Compensation Disparities and Questionable Projects
The objection reveals striking compensation differences, with executors and their law firm receiving over $10 million in payments during 2021 alone - more than double the amount distributed to any beneficiary from the family allowance. Between 2009 and 2021, the executors have allegedly collected more than $148 million in total payments.
Additional concerns centre around estate attorneys receiving $4.5 million in 2021, plus $750,000 in unapproved 'bonus' payments. Paris Jackson's filing suggests the executors have greater financial incentive to pursue entertainment projects like the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic rather than making prudent investments, as they're entitled to 15 percent of income from entertainment-related ventures.
Biopic Production Under Scrutiny
The objection specifically targets the estate's involvement in the forthcoming biopic titled Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua. Paris questions Branca's decision to have the estate directly fund production rather than simply licensing Michael Jackson's life rights to a studio.
Particular criticism focuses on the casting of Miles Teller to portray executor John Branca, with the filing noting this 'peculiar and presumably costly casting decision' and questioning Branca's experience as an executive producer, a role he's never previously performed for a dramatic feature film.
The document suggests tens of millions were spent on reshoots, potentially reflecting Branca's inexperience with film production.
Legal Setback and Continuing Battle
This latest filing comes after a November 10 ruling where referee Mitchell L. Beckloff, a retired Los Angeles judge, sided with the estate executors. The ruling struck down portions of Paris Jackson's earlier petition under California's anti-SLAPP statute, designed to prevent lawsuits intended to intimidate critics.
As a result, Paris has been ordered to pay the estate's attorneys' fees related to their anti-SLAPP defence. However, her spokesperson maintains this 'order is limited to minor procedural issues and does not change the facts' regarding concerns about executor behaviour.
A source close to the Jackson estate described the filing to People as 'another misguided attempt by Paris Jackson's attorneys to provide themselves cover' following their recent legal defeat.
The legal battle continues as Paris Jackson seeks greater transparency and accountability in managing one of entertainment's most valuable estates, emphasising her commitment to preserving her father's legacy while ensuring fair treatment for all beneficiaries.
