Paris Jackson has expressed concerns about payments made by her late father, Michael Jackson’s estate, particularly regarding what she describes as “premium payments” to law firms.
As a beneficiary of her father’s estate, Paris is questioning the allocation of funds, alleging that the payments may not have been properly documented or approved by the court. This comes amid a larger battle over how the estate’s executors have been handling legal fees and costs.
Paris Jackson’s Concerns About Estate Payments
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Paris filed an objection to a request for court approval of certain payments made to law firms. These payments were for “uncaptured time” by attorneys, which Paris argues were not properly documented.
Specifically, she pointed to $625,000 requested for three law firms for what the executors called “uncaptured time” during a six-month period in 2018. Paris raised concerns about why the attorneys failed to record their time properly and why they were still eligible for payment without a clear explanation.
In her filing, Paris said that two law firms had already received these “premium payments” without proper court approval, violating a previous order that allowed only partial payments until the court had reviewed and approved them.
Paris argued that these payments appeared to be “lavish gratuities” for well-compensated lawyers, raising serious concerns about the estate’s oversight of legal fees.
Issues with Estate’s Oversight of Legal Fees
Paris’ legal team, led by Craig Peters, pointed out what they view as a gross lack of diligence on the part of the estate’s executors. They claim that the executors failed to seek court approval for these extraordinary fees and that there were significant delays in addressing this issue.
In a filing, Peters questioned the six-month increments for fee approval, which were not previously agreed upon in writing. He also demanded a clear schedule for all outstanding approvals related to the estate’s legal and financial matters.
The Estate’s Defense
In response to Paris’ concerns, Jonathan Steinsapir, the attorney for the Michael Jackson estate, defended the payments, stating that the executors have made decisions with the same business judgment that helped the estate earn over $3 billion since Michael’s death.
Steinsapir emphasized that these payments are consistent with past practices and have been approved by the Probate Court in previous years.
A source close to the estate clarified that the “premium payments” Paris objects to were actually bonuses given to three law firms for their work on the sale of EMI Music Publishing’s stake in 2018.
The estate had a contractual right to purchase a 10% stake in EMI for $50,000 in 2012, and this stake was sold for nearly $300 million in 2018. The source argued that any business in this position would reward the lawyers who helped facilitate such a lucrative deal.
Michael Jackson’s Estate After His Death
When Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, he left behind a legacy of both incredible wealth and significant debt. At the time of his death, Jackson was over $500 million in debt, owing money to more than 65 creditors.
Despite the financial troubles, the estate has successfully turned things around, earning billions since his passing. Paris, along with her brothers Prince and Bigi, is a beneficiary of the estate, but this legal battle over payments shows that there are still ongoing issues to resolve.
Paris Jackson’s Role as a Beneficiary
As a beneficiary of Michael Jackson’s estate, Paris has the right to raise concerns about how the estate’s funds are being distributed. While the estate’s executors have defended their actions, the July 16 hearing will give Paris the opportunity to voice her objections and possibly further clarify the handling of these payments.
This is just the latest chapter in a long-running battle over how Michael Jackson’s estate is managed and the financial legacy he left behind.
Paris Jackson’s concerns about her father’s estate are a significant moment in the ongoing saga surrounding Michael Jackson’s legacy. Her objections to the estate’s handling of legal fees and payments, especially the premium payments to law firms, have sparked a legal battle that will continue to unfold in court.
With a hearing scheduled for July 16, it remains to be seen how the estate will respond and whether Paris’ concerns will lead to changes in how the estate operates going forward.
