Paris Jackson Seeks Reduction of Michael Jackson Estate Executor's $109 Million Fee

Paris Jackson filed a new motion on Friday asking a retired judge to cut the $109,219,648 compensation request made by estate executor John Branca for his work on Michael Jackson's estate during 2023-2024. The motion alleges that Branca missed a self-set September 15 deadline to provide complete financial accountings for those years, submitting documents the filing describes as incomplete or merely placeholders.

"It is unclear how executor could calculate and distribute such an amount with any confidence and yet be unable to file complete and accurate accountings years later," the 12-page filing states, adding that the gap between the requested compensation and the alleged incompetence is "intolerable."

Jackson is requesting that Branca's fee be reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent of the estate’s gross entertainment-related income, with the reduction applied retroactively to 2003 and remaining in effect until complete accountings are filed through 2006.

A spokesperson for the estate responded that the motion lacks merit, noting that the executors waived compensation from the estate’s start and receive a separate court-ordered management fee for operating the Michael Jackson business.

The dispute follows a recent ruling in which a judge found that $625,000 in bonuses paid to estate lawyers, authorized by Branca, were not justified. Paris, who is a beneficiary along with her brothers Prince and Bigi, said the litigation is a distraction from her personal life and career.