Paris Jackson has launched a legal challenge seeking the release of up to US$600 million from her late father Michael Jackson’s estate, arguing that the family trust intended for his children remains unfunded 17 years after his death.
The 28-year-old submitted a court filing claiming the estate had generated more than US$1 billion since the Thriller singer died in 2009. She is asking a judge to order a partial distribution of its assets, equivalent to about A$859 million.
Her petition states: “More than seventeen years after his passing, Michael Jackson’s family trust remains unfunded.”
Under the trust’s terms, Paris and her brothers, Prince, 29, and Bigi, 24, were expected to begin receiving income from their shares at the age of 21, with further portions due at 30, 35 and 40.
Paris argued that Prince is approaching 30, while she turns 29 in April and Bigi turns 25 in February. She said the lack of funding had left the siblings dependent on estate executor John Branca’s decisions over when money should be paid and how much they should receive.
Michael Jackson estate disputes payment claims
The filing said the estate had generated funds through several deals, including the 2018 sale of its stake in EMI Music Publishing for US$287.5 million, the 2020 sale of Neverland Ranch for US$22 million and a 2023 agreement with Sony involving Jackson’s music and other assets.
Lawyers for Paris also referred to an estate accounting showing about US$850 million in cash and cash-equivalent assets in December 2024. They said she believed approximately US$600 million could be distributed after potential liabilities were taken into account.
They argued that no request to distribute the money had been filed, despite promises made by the executors in 2011.
The Michael Jackson Estate said the trusts could not be fully funded while legal issues remained unresolved, including a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service over US$700 million in taxes and penalties.
“The Estate was able to secure a ruling to significantly reduce that amount, but the matter has not been settled and could still change,” a statement said.
The estate described claims that payments had been withheld or reduced as a “complete fabrication” and said more than US$200 million had already been distributed for the benefit of Jackson’s children.
It also said that, under the terms of Jackson’s will, “None of his children receive a distribution until they are in their 30s”. The estate added: “The Estate looks forward to the time when all issues are resolved so that their trusts can be fully funded as Michael wanted.”
A representative for Paris accused the estate of “incompetence”. Her request is due to be heard by a judge on December 4.
