Paris Jackson challenges executors over ‘irregular payments’ from Michael Jackson’s estate

Paris Jackson has filed a formal objection in court after discovering what she calls ‘irregular payments’ made by the executors of her father Michael Jackson’s estate. The 27-year-old claims the financial activity raises serious questions about transparency and oversight in managing the late pop icon’s complex legacy.

According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Paris took issue with a $625,000 request for legal fees tied to work performed in 2018. Her legal team claims these fees were granted to multiple law firms without adequate documentation, proper billing records, or required court approval.

“These irregular payments raise serious and substantial questions about Executors’ ability to effectively supervise counsel,” Paris’ lawyer stated in the filing.

Among the red flags: ‘premium payments’ for undocumented legal work, inconsistent billing totals that fluctuated significantly, and evidence that some firms were fully paid in violation of a standing court order. One law firm’s invoice reportedly jumped from $194,000 to $211,000, while another plummeted from $789,000 to $258,000, only to later rise again.

Paris is now asking the court to deny the current payment requests until a thorough review is completed and a plan is presented for handling future fees more transparently.

This isn’t the first dispute involving the estate. Just last year, Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson contested a major sale of music rights to Sony, a deal later approved by the court despite her objections.

The estate, still managed by executors John Branca and John McClain, continues to be a source of legal contention among the Jackson family, even 16 years after Michael’s death.