Paris Jackson recently had a major win in her ongoing legal battle with the executors of Michael Jackson‘s estate.
A Los Angeles judged ruled that $625,000 in bonus payments paid by executors John Branca and John McClain to third-party law firms, will need to be given back to the estate according to court documents obtained by People on Wednesday, May 13.
RELATED: Executors of Michael Jackson’s Estate Demand Paris Jackson Pay Over $100,000 in Legal Fees
“Ms. Jackson’s objection to the $625,000 of bonus payments made in the second six months of 2018 is sustained. The bonus payments are not approved; they are disallowed. The payments shall be returned to the estate,” the court documents read.
Additionally, the ruling states Paris is entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs.
“Ms. Jackson may bring a motion for her reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs under the common fund theory for her meritorious objection to the executors’ fee petition,” the court documents also state.
Attorneys for Michael Jackson’s estate said in a statement to People, regarding the judge’s decision, that while they, “disagree with the decision, we fully respect it and plan to move forward accordingly.”
“We are gratified that the Court itself recognized and praised the work of the executors and its outside counsel in today’s decision,” they continued, adding that the executors, “created real and substantial generational wealth for the estate’s beneficiaries.”
The attorneys’ statement concluded with, “While the Court has previously approved several other bonuses to outside counsel over the years for their extraordinary services, and this was the first time they were the subject of objections, the executors have always understood that legal fees are subject to court approval and have always required outside counsel to agree to return any funds to the estate if the payments were not approved. And, to be clear, none of the $625,000 in bonuses – which represent only a small fraction of the Estate’s expenses for the period in question – were paid to the executors, and the court did not in any way say that the executors had made any inappropriate payments to themselves.”
Representatives for Paris shared their feelings on the judge’s decision with People, expressing that she, “has always been focused on what’s best for her family and this ruling is a massive win for them.”
“After years of delay, the Jackson family will finally get the transparency and accountability measures Paris has fought for,” the statement continued. “The Jackson estate is supposed to be a prudent, fiscally responsible entity that supports the Jackson family – not a slush fund to help John Branca live out his Hollywood mogul fantasies. After months of engaging in sexist, scorched-earth tactics against a beneficiary, it’s time for John Branca to acknowledge his many missteps and act in the best interest of the family he has a fiduciary duty to protect.”
The attorneys for Michael Jackson’s estate declined to comment further on the court’s decision.
This story was originally published by Parade on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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