Paris Jackson took a gamble with her father’s considerable estate but ended up facing defeat.
The 27-year-old daughter of Michael Jackson has been instructed to compensate the attorney who accused her of mismanaging finances in a recent court filing.
A ruling from Los Angeles Superior Court on November 13 revealed that a judge dismissed most of her allegations and granted the estate’s request for legal fees.
Paris accused co-executors John Branca and John McClain of funneling excessive payments to outside lawyers while keeping beneficiaries, including her brothers Prince and Bigi as well as their grandmother Catherine, uninformed.
She likened their operations to the “Wizard of Oz,” claiming they controlled information flow while disbursing six-figure bonuses to attorneys.
She alleged that those managing the estate, appointed when Jackson passed away in 2009, doled out what she termed “lavish gratuities,” totaling around $600,000 in bonuses and other expenditures to outside counsel.
However, Branca and McClain refuted her claims, asserting that all legal fees were consistent with agreements and the estate’s policies, which have been under probate since Michael’s sudden death in 2009.
The court determined that Paris’ lawsuit lacked legal grounding, as much of it involved privileged court documents. Thus, it supported the estate’s anti-SLAPP motion, indicating she was unlikely to succeed in her claim.
Beyond her own legal expenses, Paris was also ordered to cover the executors’ costs, though the final sum is still pending.
Sources within her family noted that she is suing the very individuals who transformed her father’s financial crisis into a billion-dollar business.
“Michael passed away with over $500 million in debt, yet the estate has not only cleared that but accrued a fortune,” a seasoned family insider shared. “It’s hard to believe she would turn against them now.”
Since Michael’s death, McClain and Branca have successfully negotiated major deals, such as “MJ: The Musical,” which continues to thrive on Broadway, and a $500 million transaction for Jackson’s music catalog with Sony.
Current evaluations suggest that the estate’s value exceeds $3 billion.
Concerns have been raised regarding Paris’ legal representation by Craig M. Peters of the Altair law firm. While regarded as a competent trial attorney, he may lack adequate experience in estate administration, which is a rather niche area.
Paris, known for being outspoken, faces criticism from some family members who worry about her challenging Branca and McClain, whom she may rely on more than she realizes.
Despite the early setback in court, insiders indicate that Paris is not likely to back down easily. “She’s determined to continue fighting,” a source advised. Yet, there’s a suggestion that external influences might be steering her in an unfavorable direction.
“She can be quite headstrong and has unfortunately gotten some misguided advice,” the source added.
A representative for Paris chose not to comment when approached.
Public records show that she has received over $65 million from her father’s estate, and reports suggest she has used that wealth to make a series of multi-million dollar property purchases in California, though she often sells or relocates shortly after.
Her brothers, Prince and Bigi, aged 28 and 23 respectively, have largely stayed quiet regarding these real estate decisions.
A Los Angeles court will eventually review the estate’s finalization, after which the trust will be passed on to Michael’s heirs.
In a recent social media post, Paris, who has reportedly maintained sobriety for around six years, hinted at the lingering impact of her past substance use.
While showcasing her appearance, she referenced her “perforated septum,” a condition she has had since she was 20. She remarked, “Everyone faces their life challenges, but I don’t advise using drugs. It truly messed up my life.”
