Paris Jackson demands transparency from Michael Jackson's estate over $2.5 billion trust

Paris Jackson said on Tuesday that the executor of her father Michael Jackson’s estate has again failed to meet a court‑ordered disclosure requirement, and that lawyer John Branca is demanding “tens of millions” for himself and his firm. She made the claim in a public Instagram post, adding that the estate’s “smoke and mirrors” tactics are preventing her from seeing the full picture of the $2.5 billion trust. The post comes after the estate’s lawyers filed a response this month calling her recent allegations “nonsensical” and “without merit.”

The dispute dates back to 2021, when a New York judge appointed John Branca and John McClain as co‑executors of the Michael Jackson Estate. The court ordered the executors to provide a detailed accounting of the trust’s assets, income, and expenses within a set timeframe. The estate has released periodic financial statements, but critics—including Michael’s siblings and close friends—have argued that the reports are vague and omit key information about licensing deals, unreleased recordings, and the recent sale of the estate’s stake in the “Michael Jackson: One” Las Vegas residency. Paris, who is a beneficiary of the trust, has long pressed for greater transparency, alleging that the executors are withholding data that could affect her share.

In a statement, the estate’s spokesperson dismissed Paris’s accusations as “baseless” and reiterated that the executors are complying with the court’s order. The spokesperson said Branca’s legal fees are covered by a separate agreement and that any claim of “tens of millions” is a mischaracterisation of standard litigation costs. The estate has also filed a motion to compel Paris to refrain from public speculation that could jeopardise ongoing negotiations with record labels and sponsors.

The next step is a hearing scheduled for mid‑November, where a judge will decide whether the executors must produce a more detailed accounting or face sanctions. Legal analysts say the outcome could set a precedent for how celebrity trusts are managed and disclosed. If the court orders additional transparency, Paris may gain clearer insight into her inheritance, but it could also trigger further litigation over the estate’s management and Branca’s compensation. The dispute highlights the challenges of handling a multibillion‑dollar legacy while balancing family expectations and public scrutiny.