Paris Jackson Petitions Court for $600 Million Transfer from Michael Jackson Estate

Paris Jackson has filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court requesting that the executors of her late father’s estate transfer $600 million into a family trust. The legal action, filed in late October 2026, seeks to secure funds intended for the benefit of Michael Jackson’s three children: Prince, Paris, and Bigi. According to the filing, the family trust has remained unfunded for over 17 years, despite the estate generating billions of dollars since the pop icon’s death in June 2009.

In her petition, Paris Jackson argues that the estate’s remaining executor, John Branca, has maintained an "iron grip" on the inheritance, effectively controlling when and how much money the siblings receive. She claims that the beneficiaries are currently dependent on discretionary payments determined by the executor rather than the structured income her father originally intended. The filing asserts that the executors previously indicated in 2011 that they would begin funding the trust, but no such plan has been presented to the court in the years since.

The estate has strongly disputed these allegations. In a statement provided to media outlets, representatives for the Michael Jackson estate characterized the claim that payments have been withheld or reduced as a "complete fabrication." The estate noted that it has already distributed more than $200 million for the benefit of the children. Furthermore, the estate maintains that it cannot fully fund the trusts until ongoing legal matters are resolved, specifically citing a long-standing dispute with the Internal Revenue Service regarding taxes and penalties.

While the estate secured a court ruling that significantly reduced the amount sought by the IRS, officials stated that the matter remains unsettled and could still change. The estate emphasized that according to the terms of Michael Jackson’s will, the children are not entitled to receive distributions of the principal until they reach their 30s. Prince Jackson is scheduled to turn 30 in February 2027, marking a significant milestone in the timeline established by the late singer’s estate planning documents.

A spokesperson for Paris Jackson rejected the estate’s explanation, arguing that the executor has had both the ability and the obligation to partially fund the trust for years. The representative accused the estate of "deflecting from its own incompetence" and stated that Paris felt compelled to take legal action after years of what she describes as unnecessary delays. The petition suggests that even after accounting for potential liabilities, the estate holds approximately $600 million in distributable cash.

This request for a $600 million transfer is part of a broader series of legal challenges regarding the management of the estate. In a separate filing, Paris Jackson sought to reduce the management compensation paid to Branca and his legal team, challenging over $100 million in fees associated with 2023 and 2024. A Los Angeles judge is expected to hear arguments regarding the $600 million transfer request in early December 2026, a decision that could significantly alter the current administration of the Jackson family fortune.