Following Michael Jackson's death in 2009, his children have faced ongoing disputes regarding the management of their father's legacy. Paris Jackson has emerged as a vocal critic of the current administration, asserting that neither she nor her brothers have received the funds due to them. Despite the continued growth of the singer's fortune, the artist claims the family trust remains undercapitalized, prompting her to petition a judge for the immediate transfer of $600 million (approximately 536 million euros) to the joint estate designated for herself, Prince, and Bigi.
This legal action marks an escalation in Paris Jackson's accusations against her father's executor, John Branca. She has appeared before the Los Angeles Superior Court to denounce what she describes as ironclad control over the inheritance. According to her claims, Branca strictly administers access to the assets and unilaterally determines when and how the siblings can utilize their share of the estate.
The dispute centers on the terms of Michael Jackson's will, which stipulated that his children should begin receiving portions of the trust upon turning 21 years old. Paris Jackson argues that this has not occurred as intended, stating that the amounts they receive are significantly smaller than what is legally owed. Currently, Prince Jackson is 29, Paris is 28, and Bigi is 24; therefore, under the petition filed by the singer's daughter, the children should have begun receiving their rightful income years ago.
Paris Jackson further alleges that her family's financial allocation was reduced after she began questioning the executor's management. She claims that upon noticing certain "non-contractual gifts" Branca allegedly made to colleagues, she faced public attacks and a subsequent reduction in the funds provided to her and her brothers. John Branca originally hired Michael Jackson as his attorney in 1985 and served until 2006. He resumed his duties three years later, just eight days before the singer's death in 2009. This return to power and the subsequent administration of the assets have now become the focal point of a legal battle expected to continue in the courts.
Sources: La Vanguardia.