A legal dispute between Michael Jackson‘s daughter Paris Jackson and the executors of his estate keeps getting uglier. In a recent court filing, Paris has made heavy accusations, claiming that her father’s estate is being used against her.
According to documents filed on Paris‘s behalf, the ongoing litigation has been described as “a waste.” The filing states that at nearly every hearing, the executors avoid addressing the core issues and instead twist what Paris is actually saying. It also notes that the legal process has been emotionally painful for her and is affecting both her personal life and career.
Paris Jackson is a beneficiary of the estate along with her brothers, Prince and Bigi. She has accused executors John Branca and John McClain of abusing their positions and lining their own pockets. The executors, however, have denied these allegations.
The dispute mainly centers on the schedule and process for submitting the estate’s annual accounting. Paris has called for a “transparent, orderly, and efficient process” and has accused the executors of “operating in the dark.”
In her latest filing, Paris also alleged that the executors used the media to attack her. She specifically referenced a comment by their attorney, Jonathan Steinsapir, who reportedly described her as “strutting” into a court hearing.
The filing further claims that since she first raised objections, the executors have used her father’s money to fund statements against her in the media. It also criticized the executors for portraying themselves as the “adults in the room” while belittling Paris.
In response, attorney Steinsapir stated that Paris and her legal team are misusing the court system and making false allegations as part of a media campaign aimed at distracting from weaknesses in their case.
He added that most of Paris’s claims had already been approved either by her own legal team or by the court in prior years, while others are based on misleading information. He also emphasized that the estate has never given gifts to anyone for any reason.
According to Steinsapir, Paris has already received $65 million in benefits and stands to inherit hundreds of millions more in the future.
Meanwhile, Paris has claimed in court filings that in 2021 alone, the executors took more than $10 million in compensation — an amount she alleges is more than double what any beneficiary received from the family allowance.
At the time of his death in 2009, Michael Jackson was over $500 million in debt. The executors maintain that they have since turned the estate into a major player in the music industry.
Neither side is backing down — Paris is still pushing for transparency, the executors are still denying everything, and the court hasn’t had its last word yet.
