By Karim Hammam
Paris Jackson has filed a court petition demanding that $600 million be transferred to the family trust established by her late father Michael Jackson, alleging the trust has remained unfunded for more than 17 years since his death in 2009.
Trust terms and allegations
The filing, submitted October 29 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, states that the Michael Jackson estate has generated billions of dollars since the singer's death. However, the Michael Jackson Family Trust — created to benefit Paris, 28, and her brothers Prince, 29, and Bigi, 24 — has never received funding. According to the trust terms, the siblings were to receive income distributions starting at age 21, with principal distributions at ages 30, 35, and 40.
Paris alleges that executors John Branca and the late John McClain instead paid the siblings smaller amounts while the children's trust remained "wholly unfunded." The petition notes the estate was previously valued between $2 billion and $3 billion, citing revenue from business deals and the 2020 sale of Neverland Ranch for $22 million.
Estate response and ongoing dispute
The Michael Jackson Estate stated it cannot fully fund the trusts until several legal issues are resolved, but said more than $200 million has already been distributed to Paris and other beneficiaries. The estate emphasized that Michael Jackson's will specifies none of his children receive distributions until they are in their 30s.
A spokesperson for Paris Jackson countered that the estate is deflecting from its own incompetence, arguing Branca had the ability and obligation to partially fund the trust long ago. The dispute marks the latest development in a battle that began last July, when Paris accused the executors of mishandling estate funds, "skimming money," and using estate assets to publicly insult her. She has also sought to reduce management fees paid to Branca. Both executors have denied all allegations.
