Paris Jackson is demanding a $600 million preliminary distribution from her late father Michael Jackson’s estate, accusing longtime executor John Branca of keeping the singer’s children from receiving their inheritance. She wants the money transferred to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, as reported by Page Six.

The 28 year old singer made the demand in a petition filed Oct. 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court. She argues there is no legitimate reason the money has not been transferred more than 17 years after the King of Pop’s death.

According to Paris, the estate has generated billions of dollars and accumulated hundreds of millions in cash. Yet she claims the trust intended to benefit her and her brothers, Prince, 29, and Bigi, 24, remains unfunded.

28-year-old Paris Jackson demands $600 million from late father Michael Jackson’s estate, accuses longtime executor of withholding kids’ inheritance https://t.co/QzyXwcohY3

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The filing targets Branca, accusing him of maintaining an “iron grip” over the siblings by controlling whether and when they receive estate money. Branca, an attorney and chairman of The Michael Jackson Company, was initially hired by Michael in 1985.

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Branca resigned from Michael’s team over financial matters in 2006 before returning in 2009, eight days before the singer died. Michael died on June 25, 2009, at age 50 and named his family trust as his estate’s sole beneficiary, with Branca also named as trustee.

Michael’s will stipulated that his children should begin receiving income from their respective portions of the trust when they turned 21. Paris alleges that never happened and that Branca instead determines the smaller amounts they receive.

She further claims Branca uses his control over the payments to discourage the siblings from questioning his administration of the estate. Her petition describes a bitter escalation after she began challenging that administration last year.

Paris objected to what she described as Branca’s “non-contractual gifts” to colleagues. The filing claims her concerns were answered with “scorched earth litigation,” public attacks and a multimillion dollar reduction in the money provided to her and her brothers.

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“This course of conduct and administration should not continue,” the petition states. Paris is asking the court to intervene as the siblings approach ages that Michael’s estate plan identified for larger distributions.

The filing says Michael intended each child to receive one third of the principal in their respective trusts upon turning 30. Each would then receive half of the remaining share at 35, followed by the balance at 40.

Prince is scheduled to turn 30 in four months, while Paris turns 29 in April and Bigi turns 25 in February. Paris argues that the estate has enough money to fund the trust while continuing to cover its outstanding obligations.

Her petition cites several major transactions, including the estate’s 2018 sale of its roughly 10% interest in EMI Music Publishing to Sony for $287.5 million. It also points to the 2020 sale of Neverland Ranch for $22 million.

The filing additionally cites a 2023 deal in which Sony agreed to pay $750 million upfront for a 50% interest in the estate’s remaining intellectual property assets. According to the petition, those transactions generated more than $1 billion in liquidity before taxes and expenses.

The estate has reported more than $2.5 billion in gross earnings through December 2024, while its overall value has been estimated between $2 billion and $3 billion. As of December 2024, it reportedly held approximately $850 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Paris estimates that approximately $600 million remains available after potential liabilities are considered. She argues that unresolved tax matters and litigation do not justify holding all the assets, noting that nearly all significant creditor claims and litigation have been resolved or disposed of favorably.

A spokesperson for the Michael Jackson Estate said ongoing legal hurdles prevent the charitable foundation and individual trusts from being fully funded. The spokesperson specifically cited IRS litigation involving a demand for $700 million in taxes and penalties, adding that the amount was significantly reduced but the matter remains unsettled.

The estate also called the allegation that the executor withheld or cut payments a complete fabrication. Its spokesperson said more than $200 million has already been distributed to or for the benefit of Paris and the other beneficiaries.

Paris is asking the court to order Branca to transfer $600 million to the family trust, or another amount the judge considers appropriate. She also seeks reimbursement of her legal fees and costs from estate assets, with the matter scheduled for a December hearing.

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