Paris Jackson Seeks Preliminary $600 Million Distribution from Father’s Estate

Paris Jackson filed a 14-page petition on Oct. 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court asking a judge to order a preliminary distribution of at least $600 million in cash from her father’s estate to the trust for her, brother Prince and half-sister Bigi. The filing claims the estate’s co-executors, John Branca and the late John McClain, have not funded the beneficiaries’ trusts as outlined in Michael Jackson’s 2002 will.

The will directs that 20 percent of the estate be given to children’s charities and that the remainder be split between a trust for Michael’s children and a trust for his mother, Katherine Jackson. Under the trust terms, the children were to receive income after age 21 and principal distributions beginning at age 30, with full control by age 40.

Paris’s attorney, Andrew Mason, argues that the siblings have not received any of the scheduled payouts and that the executor has kept the funds “beholden” to him. The legal team cites estate documents indicating pretax liquidity exceeding $1 billion and an overall valuation of $2-3 billion, with roughly $850 million in cash.

The estate’s spokesperson responded that more than $200 million has already been distributed and that the will expressly postpones principal distributions until the children reach their 30s. The spokesperson added that pending IRS matters have delayed full funding of the trusts.

A hearing on the petition is scheduled for Dec. 4 via Zoom, at which both parties will present arguments. The executor has until that date to file a responsive motion.