Paris Jackson Questions Estate Payments and Expresses Concerns Over Attorney Bonuses

The daughter of Michael Jackson, Paris Jackson, has raised concerns regarding financial distributions made by her late father’s estate. Court filings reveal she objected to the estate’s approval of certain payments to legal counsel, questioning the propriety of “premium payments” for unrecorded attorney hours and full compensation for such costs.

In a court document from June 24, it was noted that during a six-month period in 2018, over $600,000 was requested for legal fees, including payments to three law firms for unbilled work. Paris argued that these expenses lacked transparency and proper documentation, with some payments, including lavish bonuses, which she finds inappropriate given the circumstances.

The filings also criticize the estate’s oversight, suggesting the payments reflect poor supervision of legal counsel. Paris’s legal team emphasized that court approval delays contributed to the issues and highlighted that some payments exceeded authorized limits, violating court orders allowing only partial fee payments pending approval.

Estate representatives maintain that these payments align with standard practices and previous approvals, particularly referencing a profitable stake buy in EMI by the estate, which yielded nearly $300 million. They argue that rewarding the lawyers involved in this successful business maneuver is justified.

While Paris’s attorney called for detailed records of outstanding approvals and legal fees, a court hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 16. Despite the dispute, estate officials assert that all payments are consistent with past court-approved expenditures and that the estate’s management continues to operate with integrity.

Michael Jackson, who passed away in 2009 with over $500 million in debt, left behind beneficiaries including Paris Jackson, Prince, and Bigi. His estate now manages ongoing financial affairs, including legal expenses and business interests stemming from his illustrious career.