Paris Jackson files court motion to cut Michael Jackson estate executor John Branca's fee from 15% to 10%, citing $109M compensation concerns. Read more!
Legal tensions over the King of Pop's multi-billion dollar legacy have reached a dramatic high. On October 23, 2026, 28-year-old singer and actress Paris Jackson filed a motion in Los Angeles County Superior Court demanding a reduction in management fees paid to longtime executor John Branca. Jackson's legal team is asking the court to lower the management fee from 15% down to 10% of gross entertainment income for 2023, 2024, and future years until complete financial accounting is submitted. Citing "persistent incompetence" regarding delayed financial reporting, Jackson is questioning a staggering $109,219,648.27 compensation package involving co-executors and the Ziffren law firm.
What Is Paris Jackson Demanding in Her Legal Motion?
The legal filing focuses heavily on financial transparency and accountability regarding the management of Michael Jackson's estate.
- Reduction of Management Rate: Jackson is asking retired Judge Mitchell Beckloff to cut Branca's fee on gross entertainment revenue from 15% to 10%. This 5-percentage-point cut would stay in place until full, verified accounting reports through 2026 are submitted.
- Scrutiny Over $109 Million Compensation: The motion highlights $109,219,648.27 in proposed compensation for co-executors and outside legal counsel. Jackson's lawyers argued: "It is unclear how Executor could calculate and distribute such an amount with any confidence and yet be unable to file complete and accurate accountings years later".
- Seeking Legal Fee Reimbursement: Jackson is also requesting that the estate cover her legal expenses, contending that pushing for greater financial oversight benefits all estate beneficiaries.
How Has the Michael Jackson Estate Responded to the Allegations?
Representatives for Michael Jackson's estate pushed back forcefully against Jackson's court motion, defending their commercial record and management structure.
- Calling Claims Meritless: An estate spokesperson told news outlets, "It is an understatement to say that this motion is completely without merit".
- Waived Executor Compensation: The estate clarified that Branca and co-executor John McClain waived traditional statutory executor fees at the start. Instead, they receive a court-approved management fee for operating the entertainment empire, which transitioned the estate from over 2 billion business.
- Disputing Accounting Deadlines: Estate representatives assert that accountings for 2023 and 2024 have been submitted, while reports for 2025 and 2026 are not yet due.
- "Smoke and Mirrors": Responding to the estate's pushback, a representative for Paris stated: "Enough of the smoke and mirrors — Paris is asking to reduce the management fee".
The latest filing follows Paris's May 2026 court victory, where a judge ordered $625,000 in improper law firm bonus payments to be returned to the estate. A formal hearing on the management fee reduction is set for December 4, 2026.