Michael Jackson’s Estate Reacts to Paris Jackson Opposing Payouts

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Michael Jackson‘s estate is speaking out. 

Following Paris Jackson‘s objection to financial team payments for unrecorded attorney hours, John Branca and John McClain, the estate’s co-executors, responded to her concerns in a court filing obtained by TopMob News on July 16.

In the court filing dated July 15th, Branca and McClain contended that the additional payments were justified since their legal teams played a crucial role in revitalizing the estate, which was heavily burdened with a debt of $500 million when Michael Jackson passed away in 2009 at the age of 50.

According to what was stated by the executors, the firms’ abilities in negotiation, their connections, industry knowledge (in the field of entertainment and international music publishing and recording), proved to be essential and indispensable in aiding and backing the Executors to accomplish extraordinary outcomes for the Estate.

Furthermore, Branca and McClain stated that it’s a common practice in their profession to provide additional compensation to law firms.

In the world of entertainment and music, it’s quite normal for lawyers with the caliber, expertise, and connections of Mr. Weitzman and Mr. Katz to receive extra compensation alongside their standard hourly fees. This is something the court has endorsed in similar cases before.

In wrapping up their conversation, Branca and McClain accused Jackson of raising objections towards the payments – which had been presented to her in 2018 – long after she had become aware of them.

According to the document, the court should dismiss the objections immediately due to their premature submission.

TopMob News attempted to get a response from representatives of Jackson, as well as Branca and McClain, but has yet to receive any feedback.

Recently, Jackson (who, along with her siblings Prince Jackson, aged 28, and Bigi “Blanket” Jackson, aged 23, are recipients of their father’s financial resources) submitted a court petition asserting that her father’s estate had not given sufficient explanations regarding why it distributed $625,000 in unspecified legal fees to three law firms for unaccounted attorney hours in the year 2018.

In my interpretation, I’d rephrase it as: “It’s even more concerning to note that a significant portion of these payments seem to be extravagant rewards given to lawyers who were already generously compensated. To add insult to injury, not one but two of these law firms have received their full payment despite the court only allowing partial attorneys’ fees disbursement until its approval is secured, which clearly goes against the court order.

As a devoted admirer, I must admit that my worry about the payment arrangements has made me question whether Branca and McClain are truly fit for their positions.

The document states that these inconsistent payments create significant concerns about whether Executors can adequately oversee lawyers. At a minimum, it suggests that lawyers should keep track of their work in a way that allows for easy review, such as task-based billing records, and avoid excessive, high-valued gifts to themselves and others in the profession.

In essence, she pointed out that the term “Premium Payments” is questionable as they don’t correspond with any documented lawyer hours charged to the Estate, they appear as unrequested presents, and all payments were settled in advance.

The court has yet to rule on the matter. 

For more on the Jackson family over the years, keep reading. 

On the opening night of “MJ: The Musical” in March 2024, Prince, Paris, and Bigi grace the red carpet.

In February 2024, Bigi attended the Santa Monica Film Festival alongside his brother Prince and companions. It was there that Michael’s youngest son received the accolade for Best Drama for his first directorial and screenwriting project titled Rochelles, which had won him the award.

Prince and Bigi appear at their family’s annual Thriller Night celebration in 2022.

As a devoted admirer, I had the privilege of joining Prince and Paris at the extravagant Diamond Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson, held at the captivating Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.

In August 2022, both Prince and Paris attended the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

Prince and Paris appear in a YouTube video in 2021.

Prince and Bigi appear at their family’s annual Thriller Night celebration in 2019.

On October 27, 2017, the duo struck a pose at the 2nd Annual Costume For A Cause event hosted by Heal LA and TLK Fusion, which was held at Prince Jackson’s family home.

On October 24, 2017, the duo strolled together, linked arm-in-arm, to the mothers2mothers and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Benefit Dinner held in Beverly Hills, California.

It was a privilege to attend Siggy Jackson’s wedding alongside my sister Paris Jackson. (Prince’s original tweet: “It was an honor to be a part of @officialsiggyjackson wedding with my sis @parisjackson.”)

The sibling showed off their silly side over the summer on Instragram.

On January 27, 2012, a group of three brothers made their way to the Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour that was taking place in Los Angeles.

On January 26, 2012, Prince and Paris participated in the imprinting of their hands and feet at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

Bigi, Prince Jackson and Paris appear together at the hand and footprint ceremony.

On August 29, 2012, the duo were present together at the press event for “Goin’ Back To Indiana: Can You Feel It” held at the Majestic Star Hotel Lakeshore Ballroom in Gary, Indiana.

On August 30, 2012, the siblings went to watch the St. Paul Saints versus the Gary SouthShore RailCats baseball match, which was held at U.S. Steel Yard, a stadium located in their father’s birthplace, Gary, Indiana.

On July 7, 2009, the trio made an appearance on stage during a tribute event held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which was a memorial service honoring their father.

The kids celebrate together with dad in this throwback pic shared by Prince.

Prince shared this family photo on what would have been Michael’s 64th birthday on Instagram.

In this old photograph shared by his eldest child on what would have been his 64th birthday in 2022, Prince, Paris, and Bigi (then nicknamed Blanket) are seen together with their father.

Or:

On a nostalgic picture posted by his oldest child on the occasion of what would have been his 64th birthday in 2022, we see Prince, Paris, and Bigi (also known as Blanket) posing alongside their dad.

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2025-07-17 00:47