Paris Jackson is taking her battle over her late father Michael Jackson's fortune to a new level, asking a Los Angeles judge to order the transfer of $600 million from the King of Pop's estate into a family trust benefiting her and her two brothers.
The 28-year-old singer, actress, and model alleges that the Michael Jackson Family Trust has remained unfunded for more than 17 years, despite the estate generating billions of dollars since her father's death in June 2009.
© Getty ImagesIn a court petition filed on October 29, Paris argues that the estate's remaining executor, John Branca, has maintained control over the siblings' inheritance while failing to establish a clear timeline for transferring money into the trust. “More than 17 years after his passing, Michael Jackson’s family trust remains unfunded,” the filing states, according to documents reviewed by TheWrap.
The latest legal action raises questions about how Michael Jackson's fortune is being managed, when his children will receive their inheritance, and why the estate says it cannot release the requested funds.
Why Is Paris Jackson Asking for $600 Million?
Paris is not asking the court to award $600 million to her personally. Instead, she wants the money transferred into the Michael Jackson Family Trust, which was established to benefit his children, Prince Jackson, Paris Jackson, and Bigi Jackson, formerly known as Blanket.
© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty IAccording to her petition, Michael intended his children to begin receiving income from their trusts when they turned 21, followed by distributions of principal beginning at age 30. However, Paris claims those arrangements have not been implemented as intended. “Those dates have all long passed,” the filing states, referring to the siblings' 21st birthdays.
Prince is set to turn 30 in February 2027, Paris will turn 29 in April, and Bigi will turn 25 in February. The petition also points to a statement made by the estate's executors in 2011, when they indicated they were considering a preliminary distribution to the trust.
According to Paris's attorneys, no such distribution plan was subsequently presented to the court. “Executors, however, have never presented any plan for funding the Michael Jackson Family Trust to the Court. That needs to change,” the filing states.
How Much Is Michael Jackson's Estate Worth in 2026?
One of the central arguments in Paris Jackson's $600 million estate request concerns the enormous wealth generated by her father's music and business interests. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at age 50, leaving behind an influential musical legacy and substantial financial obligations.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettySince then, his estate has generated revenue through music publishing, licensing agreements, entertainment projects, and the sale of valuable assets.
Paris's legal team cites several major transactions, including the 2018 sale of EMI Music Publishing stake for $287.5 million. The 2020 sale of Neverland Ranch for $22 million and a Sony Music and intellectual-property deal for $750 million in upfront proceeds and more.
The petition argues that these transactions generated more than $1 billion in cash before taxes and expenses. Paris's attorneys also note that the executors previously valued the estate at between $2 billion and $3 billion. According to the filing, even after accounting for potential liabilities, approximately $600 million could be available for distribution to the trust.
© WWD via Getty Images“Indeed, Paris is informed that, even when potential liabilities are taken into account, the Estate holds approximately $600 million in distributable cash,” the petition states.
Paris Jackson Accuses Executor John Branca of Controlling the Inheritance
The dispute is about more than money sitting in an account. Paris also alleges that Branca's control over the estate has allowed him to determine how much financial support the siblings receive.
Her filing claims that the children have received amounts determined by the executor rather than the trust income their father intended them to receive.
© GettyImagesShe further alleges that her objections to the estate's financial management led to legal disputes, public criticism, and reduced payments to the beneficiaries.
The petition characterizes Branca's influence as an “iron grip” over the siblings' inheritance. “This course of conduct and administration should not continue,” the filing states.
Michael Jackson's Estate Responds to the $600 Million Demand
Representatives for Michael Jackson's estate have rejected Paris's allegations and insist that unresolved legal matters prevent the trust from being fully funded. A significant obstacle, according to the estate, is an ongoing dispute with the Internal Revenue Service.
The IRS previously sought approximately $700 million in taxes and penalties from the estate. Although the estate secured a ruling substantially reducing that amount, the matter remains unresolved.
© Getty Images“The Estate was able to secure a ruling to significantly reduce that amount, but the matter has not been settled and could still change,” the estate said in a statement to PEOPLE.
The estate also directly challenged allegations concerning payments to the beneficiaries. “Further, the claim that the executor has withheld or ‘cut’ payments is a complete fabrication,” its spokesperson stated.
According to the estate, more than $200 million has already been distributed to or for the benefit of Paris and other beneficiaries.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupIt also emphasized that Michael's will does not provide for outright distributions of principal to his children until they reach their 30s. “None of his children receive a distribution until they are in their 30s,” the estate said.
The statement concluded: “The Estate looks forward to the time when all issues are resolved so that their trusts can be fully funded as Michael wanted.”
Paris Jackson's Representative Fires Back at the Estate
Paris's spokesperson has challenged the estate's explanation, arguing that outstanding legal issues should not have prevented at least a partial transfer of funds. “The Estate is once again deflecting from its own incompetence,” the spokesperson told PEOPLE.
The representative continued: “Paris called for the trust to be partially funded, something Mr. Branca had the ability and obligation to do long ago.”
© Variety via Getty ImagesThe statement added that after years of delays, Paris felt compelled to take legal action herself.
Paris Jackson Also Challenges $109 Million in Estate Management Fees
The $600 million petition is not Paris's only legal challenge involving her father's fortune. In a separate October 2026 filing, she sought to reduce Branca's management compensation, alleging delays and deficiencies in the estate's financial accounting.
According to Rolling Stone, the filing challenged approximately $109.2 million in combined compensation associated with Branca, his lawyers and the late co-executor John McClain for 2023 and 2024.
© GettyParis requested that the management fee be reduced from 15% to 10% of gross entertainment-related income. Her attorneys described the alleged gap between the compensation requested and the estate's accounting performance as “intolerable.”
The estate disputed those allegations, explaining that the executors had waived traditional executor compensation and instead received a separate, court-approved management fee for operating Michael Jackson's entertainment business.
The dispute follows another legal victory for Paris earlier in 2026. In May, a Los Angeles judge ruled that $625,000 in bonus payments made to outside law firms in 2018 must be returned to the estate after sustaining her objection. Attorneys for the estate disagreed with that decision but said they would respect the ruling. They also stressed that the disputed bonuses had not been paid directly to the executors.
What Happens Next in Paris Jackson's Estate Lawsuit?
A Los Angeles judge is scheduled to consider Paris Jackson's request on December 4, 2026. She is asking the court to order a $600 million transfer to the family trust or another amount the judge considers appropriate.
The outcome could determine whether a substantial portion of Michael Jackson's wealth is moved from the estate into the trust while the remaining legal and tax disputes continue.
© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty IThe proceedings also come at a significant moment for the family. Prince Jackson will turn 30 in early 2027, approaching the age when he is expected to begin receiving distributions of principal under his father's estate plan.
