Michael Jackson’s daughter files explosive lawsuit claiming executors mishandled her late father’s $464 million estate
Paris Jackson has never shied away from speaking her mind about her legendary father, and now the 27-year-old is taking her concerns about Michael Jackson’s estate directly to court. The ongoing dispute between the pop icon’s only daughter and the men controlling his financial legacy has reached a boiling point with allegations that could reshape how the estate operates.
The lawsuit filed on Nov. 17 targets estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain, accusing them of serious financial mismanagement. Paris claims the men have exploited the King of Pop’s $464 million estate while his children receive far less than they deserve as beneficiaries.
Delayed accounting raises red flags
According to the court filing obtained by Page Six, Paris and her brothers Prince, 28, and Bigi, 23, only received their 2021 estate accounting in September of this year. The years-long delay in providing basic financial information to the beneficiaries forms the foundation of Paris’s concerns about transparency and proper management.
During this same period, the executors allegedly paid themselves more than $10 million. The stark contrast between what the children received in information and financial distributions versus what Branca and McClain took for themselves fuels Paris’s allegations of self-dealing.
Her legal team stated that Paris has grown increasingly concerned the estate has transformed into a vehicle for John Branca to enrich himself rather than serve the beneficiaries’ best interests and preserve Michael Jackson’s legacy. These accusations strike at the heart of fiduciary duty that estate executors owe to beneficiaries.
Investment failures cost millions
The lawsuit alleges the executors completely failed to properly invest the $464 million estate, representing what Paris’s lawyers describe as a massive missed opportunity. According to numbers presented in the filing, the estate has gained less than 0.1 percent due to what they characterize as unproductive investments.
Had the executors invested the funds appropriately, Paris claims the estate could have generated $41 million in profits. This substantial figure represents money that could have benefited Michael Jackson’s children but instead was lost through what the lawsuit describes as negligent financial management.
The failure to generate meaningful returns on such a substantial estate raises questions about the executors’ investment strategy and whether they prioritized their own compensation over growing the beneficiaries’ inheritance. Financial experts typically expect estates of this size to generate significant returns through diversified investment portfolios.
Questionable compensation practices
Paris’s lawyers accused Branca and McClain of paying themselves irregular premium payments and unexplained bonuses beyond their standard executor fees. The lawsuit claims any compensation the executors take completely dwarfs any amount distributed to Paris or her siblings.
Estate executors typically receive fees based on a percentage of the estate’s value or complexity of administration. However, the lawsuit suggests these payments went far beyond reasonable compensation, raising questions about whether the executors abused their positions of trust.
The opacity surrounding these payments particularly troubles Paris’s legal team. Without clear documentation explaining the rationale for premium payments and bonuses, the beneficiaries cannot determine whether the compensation aligns with industry standards or represents self-dealing.
Biopic disputes add fuel to fire
Paris also expressed concerns about the executors’ decision to invest estate funds in the 2026 Michael Jackson biopic. Branca approved casting actor Miles Teller to play a fictional version of himself in the film, creating what Paris views as a conflict of interest where the executor benefits from glorifying his own role in Jackson’s story.
The lawsuit mentions Paris previously took issue with Colman Domingo’s casting as her grandfather Joe Jackson. While she doesn’t fully approve of the star-studded film about her father, her main concerns center on how the executors are spending estate money on projects that may serve their interests more than the beneficiaries.
Estate fires back at allegations
A source close to the estate dismissed Paris’s lawsuit as misguided, telling PEOPLE this represents another attempt by her attorneys to provide themselves cover. The unnamed insider characterized the filing as a weak attempt to change the narrative after Paris’s lawyers lost their latest case against the estate.
The source emphasized that all beneficiaries are well taken care of by the estate, suggesting Paris receives substantial benefits despite her complaints about management. This response attempts to portray Paris as ungrateful rather than legitimately concerned about financial mismanagement.
The estate also filed its own motion back in October claiming Paris has received approximately $65 million in benefits from the estate according to E! News. This figure appears designed to counter Paris’s allegations by demonstrating she has already benefited substantially from her father’s legacy.
Legal costs mounting on both sides
Adding another layer of complexity, the estate executors secured an order requiring Paris’s lawyers to pay the estate’s attorneys’ expenses from their previous legal loss. This financial penalty creates additional pressure on Paris as she pursues these new allegations.
The back-and-forth legal maneuvering demonstrates how contentious this dispute has become. Neither side appears willing to compromise, setting the stage for extended litigation that will likely consume substantial resources from the estate that could otherwise benefit the beneficiaries.
What happens next
A hearing for Paris’s latest filing is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026, where a judge will consider the merits of her allegations. The outcome could significantly impact how the estate operates going forward and whether the executors face consequences for their management decisions.
If Paris prevails, the court might order changes to estate management, require more transparent accounting or even remove Branca and McClain as executors. Such outcomes would represent a major victory for Paris and potentially result in better financial outcomes for Michael Jackson’s children.
However, if the court sides with the executors, Paris may face additional legal costs while the current management structure remains in place. The high stakes explain why both sides are fighting so aggressively over control and transparency regarding Michael Jackson’s substantial estate.
A legacy at stake
Beyond the financial implications, this dispute represents a battle over Michael Jackson’s legacy itself. Paris believes the executors prioritize their own interests over preserving her father’s artistic and cultural contributions. The resolution of this lawsuit will help determine whether the King of Pop’s estate serves primarily to enrich those managing it or to benefit his children as he intended.
For Paris Jackson, this fight represents more than just money. It’s about ensuring her father’s legacy receives proper stewardship and that his children receive the inheritance he wanted them to have. The coming months will reveal whether the courts agree with her concerns or side with the executors who claim they’ve managed the estate appropriately.
Story Credit: THEROOT
