What the petition asks for
Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late pop star Michael Jackson, has asked a court to order a preliminary transfer of $600 million from her father's estate into a trust for his three children, according to the Los Angeles Times, which reviewed the filing. She asked for that amount or whatever other sum the court considers appropriate. The money would go to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, which benefits her and her brothers Prince and Bigi.
The petition was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. In it, Jackson says the trust has never been funded. "Michael Jackson's family trust remains unfunded," she wrote. She alleges that the estate's executors have failed to carry out her father's wishes for his children to begin receiving income from it.
Allegations against the executors
Jackson says the executors told the court in 2011 that they would file a petition to begin funding the trust, and that none was ever filed. "Fifteen years later, Michael's beneficiaries are still waiting," the petition states. She also says her father, who died in June 2009, wanted each child to start receiving money on their 21st birthday and to receive "outright principal distributions" from the trust at 30.
Prince and Paris, whose mother is Debbie Rowe, are 29 and 28, according to the Times. Bigi is 24 and was born via surrogate. The petition alleges that the children instead get smaller amounts set by the remaining executor, who she says uses that power "to deter them from checking his abuses." She wrote that the executor keeps each beneficiary beholden to him with an "iron grip" over when and if money is paid.
Jackson also accused the executors of answering her earlier legal challenges with "scorched earth litigation, public attacks, and a multimillion reduction" in money paid to her and her siblings. She noted that the executors have said the estate is now worth between $2 billion and $3 billion.
The estate's response
A representative for the estate said in a statement to the Times that Jackson's legal team is "well aware" that "several legal hurdles," including litigation with the Internal Revenue Service, stand in the way of transferring the funds. The representative denied that payments to the siblings have been held back or reduced and called the claims a "complete fabrication."
Jackson's petition argues the IRS case "also appears to be at or nearing its end," which could free up money. The estate said the matter "has not been settled and could still change," even though a ruling would "significantly reduce" a large penalty payment.
The estate spokesperson also said the will is clear on timing. "None of his children receive a distribution until they are in their 30s," the spokesperson said. "The Estate looks forward to the time when all issues are resolved so that their trusts can be fully funded as Michael wanted."
Background and next steps
According to the Times, the executors began generating liquidity for the estate in 2011. Steps included the 2020 sale of Neverland Ranch and a $750 million deal with Sony involving intellectual property assets.
A spokesperson for Paris Jackson answered the estate's denial in a statement. "The Estate is once again deflecting from its own incompetence," the spokesperson said. The statement said she had asked for the trust to be partially funded, something the spokesperson said executor John Branca had the ability and obligation to do long ago. "After years of delay, Paris had no choice but to step in herself," the spokesperson said.
The Times reported that the next hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday.
