Paris Jackson is seeking a significant cut to the compensation associated with managing the estate of her late father, Michael Jackson.
In court documents filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the actress and singer asked a judge to reduce executor John Branca’s compensation from 15% to 10% of the estate’s gross entertainment-related income. The proposed reduction would apply to 2023, 2024, and every subsequent year until a “complete and accurate” 2026 accounting is submitted. Paris accused Branca, who has served as the estate’s executor since 2009, of “persistent incompetence” in submitting financial statements on time. Co-executor John McClain died in May of this year.
In her filing, Paris described Branca’s alleged failure to fulfil basic executor responsibilities as “intolerable.” The 28-year-old is also seeking to recover attorneys’ fees and legal costs on behalf of the estate.
A representative for the estate rejected the request, insisting that the “motion is completely without merit.” Speaking to TMZ, the representative said, “Plaintiff’s attorneys have motioned for a reduction in executor compensation, when in fact the executors waived that from the estate’s beginning, and have never taken any executor compensation.” The representative added that they receive a separate, court-approved management fee for running Michael Jackson’s highly successful business empire.
The estate’s representative also dismissed the proposed penalties as “nonsensical,” arguing that the 2023 and 2024 accountings had already been filed, while the 2025 and 2026 reports were not due for another six and 14 months, respectively.
A spokesperson for Paris responded to the estate’s statement, saying, “Enough of the smoke and mirrors — Paris is asking to reduce the management fee.” The spokesperson further alleged that Branca had repeatedly missed court-ordered deadlines intended to give Paris and her siblings greater insight into how the estate is managed. “Since money is what motivates Executor Branca, this is the only way to enforce the timeline he agreed to,” the spokesperson added.
Branca was named co-executor in Michael Jackson’s will, signed on July 7, 2002, alongside music executive John McClain, who died on May 26. A judge officially confirmed both men in July 2009, one month after Jackson died at the age of 50. Branca and McClain managed the estate, which is now estimated to be worth approximately $2 billion. Paris and her brothers, Prince, 29, and Bigi, 24, are beneficiaries of the Michael Jackson Family Trust.
In May, Paris sought $463,752 in accrued interest from the estate’s executors after a ruling ordered $625,000 previously paid to outside counsel to be returned to the estate. Paris has also clashed with her father’s estate over its involvement in the musical biopic Michael.
