By Salma El-Sakka
Michael Jackson's death in 2009 left a music catalog worth billions but also more than $500 million in debt. The estate was placed under the control of executors John Branca and John McClain, who over 16 years turned it into a $2 billion enterprise through asset sales and licensing deals. However, a public rift has grown between the executors and Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson, who has repeatedly alleged irregular payments and mismanagement.
Early estate management and asset sales
Branca and McClain were appointed executors shortly after Jackson's death. They sold the publishing rights to the Beatles' catalog to Sony in 2016 and Neverland Ranch to billionaire Ronald Burkle for $22 million in 2020. In 2024, a 50% stake in Jackson's music catalog was sold to Sony. The estate also controls rights to the Broadway show "MJ the Musical" and the recent biopic "Michael."
Family disputes emerge
In March 2024, Jackson's son Bigi (formerly known as Blanket) filed a motion to block his grandmother, Katherine Jackson, from using estate funds for a legal challenge over the Sony catalog deal, rumored to be worth $600 million. Court filings revealed Katherine had received more than $55 million since 2009, including a monthly allowance of $166,000.
Court reveals financial details
In June 2024, the executors petitioned a Los Angeles court for authorization to pay law firms for services rendered in 2018, disclosing that Jackson's most significant assets were subject to over $500 million in debt at the time of his death. In August 2024, an appeals court approved the sale of a portion of Jackson's songs to Sony Music Group for about $600 million, over Katherine Jackson's objections.
Paris Jackson raises concerns
In July 2025, Paris Jackson filed an objection to the executors' request for legal fees, expressing concern about "premium payments" for unrecorded attorney time. Her legal team argued the payments raised questions about the executors' ability to supervise counsel. The executors responded that they had dealt with "issues" related to one of Jackson's ex-wives, though they did not specify which.
Allegations of 'skimming money'
In August 2025, Paris filed a motion accusing a "closely-knit, highly-compensated" group of lawyers of exploiting a lack of oversight to "skim money" from the estate. Estate attorney Jonathan Steinsapir pushed back, stating the executors' business judgment had generated billions for the children and that the claims were baseless and defamatory.
Executors defend record
In October 2025, Branca and McClain hit back, noting Paris had received roughly $65 million in benefits. They cited prior judicial praise that they had turned an estate that "started out as nothing but debt" into a "$2 billion estate" and a "powerhouse in the music business."
Legal setbacks and renewed claims
In November 2025, a Los Angeles judge dismissed Paris's claims on procedural grounds, ruling the estate's court filings were protected under the First Amendment and California's anti-SLAPP laws. Paris's representatives said she would continue fighting. Around the same time, she criticized Branca's role as executive producer on the biopic "Michael" and the casting of Miles Teller to play him.
Biopic release and legal victory
The biopic "Michael," directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, was released in April 2026. In May 2026, a judge ruled in Paris's favor, ordering more than $625,000 in bonuses paid to third-party law firms in 2018 to be returned to the estate, calling for greater transparency.
McClain's death and latest filings
John McClain died in May 2026 at age 71 from complications of a fall. In October 2026, Paris filed a new claim alleging Branca had paid himself over $100 million in compensation in just two years. In November 2026, she asked a court to transfer $600 million to the Michael Jackson Children's Trust, which she says has remained unfunded for 17 years. The estate responded that the will stipulates distributions only when the children reach their 30s and that more than $200 million has already been distributed to beneficiaries.
