Michael Jackson Estate Challenges Paris Jackson's Claim for Over $1 Million in Legal Fees
The executor of Michael Jackson’s estate has filed a petition contesting Paris Jackson’s request for $1.16 million in attorney fees, arguing the amount is excessive and includes costs unrelated to the estate’s benefit.
John Branca, the executor of Michael Jackson’s estate, filed legal documents on Monday opposing Paris Jackson’s demand for $1,165,481.90 in legal fees. The request stems from a court order in April that required the estate to reimburse her for attorney costs incurred while recovering $625,000 in bonuses paid to the estate’s lawyers in 2018.
The judge ruled that the estate must cover "reasonable" fees for the work that secured the return of those bonuses, prompting Paris to seek the stated amount. Branca argues the figure is inflated, contending that some of the recovered funds were voluntarily returned to the estate and that the claimed fees cover unrelated litigation.
According to the estate’s filing, the executor is willing to pay fees that correspond directly to the benefits Paris achieved for the estate’s beneficiaries, but maintains that the current claim exceeds what is justified.