Paris Jackson has filed court documents requesting the executor of her late father Michael Jackson's estate transfer $600 million into a trust for her and her two brothers. The filing, dated October 29 and reviewed by The Daily Mail, alleges that executor John Branca has not funded the trust as outlined in the King of Pop's will prior to his 2009 death.
According to Paris's legal team, "More than seventeen years after his passing, Michael Jackson’s family trust remains unfunded." The attorneys further stated that Branca, in his role as executor, "continues to keep each beneficiary beholden to him with an iron grip over when and if monies are distributed to them." The filing claims that previous challenges to the estate's administration were met with "scorched earth litigation, public attacks, and a multimillion reduction in monies provided to her and her siblings by the estate."
Paris's lawyers emphasized that the estate's wealth is a "testament to the singular talent and incredible work ethic of her father" and that the executor has generated significant cash through debt restructuring, entertainment projects, and asset sales. However, they claim that "never presented any plan for funding the Michael Jackson Family Trust to the court," which they assert "needs to change."
The attorneys also noted that Michael Jackson intended for his children to receive payments from the trust upon turning 21, with further outright principal distributions planned for their 30th, 35th, and 40th birthdays. Prince is expected to reach 30 in February 2027, and Paris in April 2028.
Paris's legal team cited several transactions that could have funded the trust, including deals with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2016 and 2018, and the 2022 sale of the Neverland Ranch for $22 million. They are asking the court to direct Branca to "make a preliminary distribution of Estate assets to the Michael Jackson Family Trust in the amount of $600 million, or such amount as determined by the court to be appropriate and reasonable," in addition to requesting attorney fees and costs.
The estate, through John Branca, responded to the filing stating that Paris's counsel is aware that the estate cannot fully fund the trusts due to "several legal hurdles," including ongoing litigation with the IRS over $700 million in taxes and penalties. The estate claims it has already distributed "more than $200 million... for the benefit of Paris and the other beneficiaries" and that the accusation of withheld payments is a "complete fabrication." The estate reiterated that Michael Jackson's will stipulates no distributions until his children are in their 30s and expressed anticipation for the resolution of all issues to enable the trusts to be fully funded as the singer intended.