Michael Jackson’s children still haven’t received their full share of his $2 billion estate – and there’s a reason behind it.
Few musicians have had a career comparable to Michael Jackson’s. His name, music, and legacy are known worldwide and have carried across generations.
Jackson died in 2009, leaving behind three children. But even 17 years after his death, his daughter Paris and sons Prince and Bigi have yet to receive their full share of their father’s estate, which is reportedly worth around $2 billion.
According to VT, the estate is currently controlled by co-executors John McClain and John Branca. The handling of the finances has been criticized by Jackson’s daughter Paris, 28, who has filed a lawsuit accusing them of mismanagement, citing alleged irregular payments. She has also accused them of “skimming money” from her father’s estate.
She recently faced backlash related to the lawsuit after a judge granted a petition from the co-executors to strike portions of her case. Despite this, Paris remains determined to continue the legal fight. Her team told Entertainment Weekly: “This order is limited to minor procedural issues, and does not change the facts: the pattern of behavior displayed by the executors and their attorneys raises significant red flags.
“Paris will continue working to ensure her family is treated fairly. We will be submitting an updated filing shortly.”
Paris Jackson’s legal battle over dad Michael Jackson’s estate
Court documents further outline her position on how the case has been handled.
“This overlitigation is a waste. At nearly every hearing… Executors try to avoid the merits by characterising Paris’s concerns as lawyer-driven or in service of some purported desire for media attention. Neither is true,” it reads, cited by The Independent.
“This litigation is painful for Paris. It is a distraction from her own life and her own career. She would rather there be no press coverage of it whatsoever.”
She also accused the executors of using Michael Jackson’s money against her. “These attacks may serve Mr. Branca’s personal interest in attempting to bully Paris into submission, but they have nothing to do with the merits of the litigation and are not in the interests of the Estate.
“The fact that Michael Jackson’s money is paying for these attacks makes them even more offensive,” they added.
Although his children continue to receive financial support through grants from the estate, an unresolved tax issue has kept their full inheritance on hold. Determining how much the estate owes remains an ongoing process, according to VT.
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