Los Angeles, January 26, 2026 — A legal battle between Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, and the co-executors of his estate is escalating, with both sides now claiming financial discrepancies. The dispute centers on the administration of the “Billie Jean” singer’s $464 million estate and whether his children are receiving their fair share.
Estate Accuses Paris Jackson of Owing Legal Fees
The ongoing conflict highlights a deepening rift over the financial management of the late pop star’s assets.
- In November 2025, Paris Jackson filed a lawsuit alleging mismanagement of her father’s estate.
- She claimed the estate’s co-executors, John Branca and John McClain, were enriching themselves at the expense of the beneficiaries.
- The estate’s legal team is now seeking $115,000 in costs and attorney’s fees from Jackson.
- Paris Jackson’s team alleges irregular payments and a failure to properly invest estate funds.
- The dispute remains unresolved, with both sides preparing for a protracted legal fight.
The estate’s legal team recently filed a court document requesting $115,000 to cover costs and attorney’s fees, according to reports. At least $95,163.02 of that amount is tied to an anti-SLAPP motion filed last year and granted in November 2025, though the remaining costs were not specified. The estate is seeking reimbursement to “account for the fees and costs incurred by the Executors in connection with the anti-SLAPP motion so that the Court can determine the amount of the award.”
Paris Jackson initially sued co-executors John Branca and John McClain in November 2025, alleging they were improperly handling the estate’s finances. She claimed her siblings—Prince, 28, and Bigi, 23—and she had only received their 2021 estate accounting in September 2025, while the executors allegedly took in over $10 million for themselves.
“Paris is increasingly concerned the Estate has become the vehicle for John Branca to enrich and aggrandize himself, rather than serve the beneficiaries’ best interests and steadfastly preserve her father’s legacy,” the initial filing stated.
Jackson’s legal team further alleged that the executors were making irregular “premium payments” and unexplained bonuses, and had “completely failed” to invest Jackson’s estate funds appropriately.
A spokesperson for Paris Jackson responded to the estate’s request for fees, stating, “For months, Paris Jackson has worked to address what appear to be troubling discrepancies and financial irregularities in the administration of her father’s estate.”
The statement continued, “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 for her family.”
