17-Year Inheritance Dispute: Paris Jackson Demands $600 Million From Michael Jackson’s Estate

Paris Jackson has asked a Los Angeles judge to order the estate of her late father, Michael Jackson, to transfer $600 million into the family trust established for her and her two brothers. In a court petition filed on October 29, the 28-year-old singer argues that the trust has remained unfunded for more than 17 years, even as the King of Pop’s estate has generated billions of dollars through music rights, business agreements and property transactions.

The request could reignite a long-running dispute over how Michael Jackson’s fortune is managed and when his children should receive their inheritance. Paris is seeking a partial distribution of the estate’s assets to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, rather than waiting to resolve every outstanding legal issue.

Why Paris Jackson Wants $600 Million Transferred

According to the petition, Michael Jackson’s estate has generated substantial revenue since his death in June 2009. His three children, Prince, Paris, and Bigi Jackson, were named beneficiaries of the family trust, which was designed to provide financial support and distribute their respective shares at specified ages.

The filing says the children were supposed to begin receiving income from their trust portions when they turned 21. They were also intended to receive one-third of the principal in their respective shares at 30, half of the remaining balance at 35, and the rest at 40.

Paris argues that the arrangements have not been implemented as intended because the trust has not been funded. Prince is approaching 30, while Paris turns 29 in April and Bigi turns 25 in February.

Her petition claims the current arrangement leaves the siblings dependent on decisions by the estate’s executor, John Branca, about the timing and amount of financial support.

Michael Jackson Estate’s Billion-Dollar Earnings Under Scrutiny

Paris’ legal team points to several major transactions to argue that the estate has sufficient liquidity to make a substantial transfer.

These include the $287.5 million sale of the estate’s interest in EMI Music Publishing in 2018, the $22 million sale of Neverland Ranch in 2020, and a major 2023 agreement with Sony involving Michael Jackson’s music and other intellectual-property assets.

The petition says the transactions generated more than $1 billion in cash before taxes and expenses. It also cites an estate accounting showing approximately $850 million in cash and cash-equivalent assets as of December 2024.

After accounting for potential liabilities, Paris estimates that around $600 million could be made available for the family trust. The filing also says the estate has previously been valued at between $2 billion and $3 billion.

Estate Rejects Claims of Withheld Inheritance

The Michael Jackson Estate has disputed Paris’ allegations, arguing that several unresolved legal matters must be addressed before the trusts can be fully funded.

In a statement, the estate pointed specifically to its ongoing dispute with the Internal Revenue Service, which had sought approximately $700 million in taxes and penalties. The estate said it secured a ruling that significantly reduced the amount but stressed that the matter remains unresolved and could change.

The estate also rejected claims that it withheld or reduced payments to beneficiaries, calling the allegations a fabrication. It said more than $200 million had already been distributed to or spent for the benefit of Paris and the other beneficiaries.

The estate maintains that none of Michael Jackson’s children will receive an outright distribution until they reach their 30s, while saying it intends to fully fund the trusts once the outstanding issues are settled.

Dispute With Executor Adds to Legal Tensions

Paris’ latest petition is part of a broader disagreement over how her father’s estate is being administered. She alleges that after she began questioning its management last year, her objections were met with public criticism, litigation and a reduction in the financial support provided to the siblings.

The filing also revisits a 2011 discussion in which the executors reportedly considered seeking court approval for a distribution. Paris’ attorneys allege that the proposed request was never filed.

Earlier this year, a Los Angeles judge also ruled that $625,000 in bonus payments the executors made to outside law firms in 2018 had to be returned to the estate after Paris objected. The estate’s attorneys said they disagreed with the ruling but respected the decision.

Branca and John McClain were appointed co-executors after Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, aged 50. McClain died in May 2026, leaving Branca as the remaining executor.

A hearing on Paris’ latest request is scheduled for December 4. She is asking the court to order the $600 million transfer or approve another amount it considers appropriate. The judge’s decision could become a significant moment in the continuing battle over the financial legacy of one of pop music’s biggest stars.