Michael Jackson’s estate is seeking court approval to pay more than $9 million in legal fees incurred over six years, while opposing Paris Jackson’s request for $1,165,481.90 for a shorter period.
The estate says the fees were earned through work covering tax planning, trademarks, business deals, legal matters and other issues. It argues that the professionals involved helped transform the estate from one carrying more than $500 million in debt when Jackson died in 2009 into a conglomerate valued at $2 billion.
John Branca, an executor of the estate, filed legal documents on Monday challenging Paris Jackson’s claim for fees. A judge has yet to rule on the dispute.
The estate is not arguing that the lawyers’ bills should go unpaid. Instead, it maintains that Paris Jackson should be compensated only for legal battles she won and for benefits she secured for the estate’s beneficiaries.
Branca’s filing acknowledges that she helped the estate recover $625,000 in bonuses paid to attorneys.
However, the estate’s position is that awarding her more than $1 million would be excessive in light of the work and benefits it says are covered by her request.
The wider bill submitted by the estate relates to six years of professional work, including efforts to manage its finances, protect its trademarks and negotiate business arrangements.
