Paris Jackson Scores Legal Victory in Fight With Michael Jackson's Estate
Paris Jackson is celebrating a "massive win" after a judge issued multiple rulings regarding her legal battle with the executors of Michael Jackson's estate.
According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly on Wednesday, May 13, a judge ruled that there should not be any unauthorized bonus payments to executors' attorneys.
"The Executors shall not make any bonus payments to an attorney as a payment on account without the written consent of all beneficiaries or an order of the referee/court," the judge stated in court docs. "The Executors are authorized to file a petition for instructions if circumstances arise where they believe deviation from this order is warranted."
In addition, a judge ordered that some 2018 bonus payments must be returned to the estate.
"Ms. Jackson's objection to the $625,000 of bonus payments made in the second six months of 2018 is sustained," the judge stated. "The bonus payments are not approved; they are disallowed. The payments shall be returned to the estate."
Court documents also revealed that Paris, 28, is "entitled to an award of reasonable attorneys' fees for bringing her motion."
After the judge's ruling, a spokesperson for Paris released a statement explaining what the decisions meant for Michael's daughter.
"Paris has always been focused on what's best for her family and this ruling is a massive win for them. After years of delay, the Jackson family will finally get the transparency and accountability measures Paris has fought for," the statement read. "The Jackson Estate is supposed to be a prudent, fiscally responsible entity that supports the Jackson family."
According to court documents, a judge also acknowledged the positive work the executors have done ever since Michael died at the age of 50 in June 2009.
"As a preliminary matter, there can be no dispute that under the expertise of the Executors, this estate has transformed from teetering on the brink of bankruptcy in June of 2009 when Michael Jackson died to the financial powerhouse that it is today," court documents stated. "For the last 17 years, the Executors and their attorneys have provided exceptional services to the estate and, ultimately, to the beneficiaries. The Executors have - in the words of John Branca - created real and substantial generational wealth for the estate's beneficiaries."
While a rep for the executors told TMZ that "we are gratified that the court itself recognized and praised the work of the Executors and its outside counsel," they disagree with some of the judge's decisions.
"While the Court has previously approved several other bonuses to outside counsel over the years for their extraordinary services, and this was the first time they were the subject of objections, the Executors have always understood that legal fees are subject to court approval and have always required outside counsel to agree to return any funds to the estate if the payments were not approved," the statement read while claiming the bonuses were paid out to outside law firms and not the executors themselves. "Ultimately, while we disagree with the decision, we fully respect it and plan to move forward accordingly."
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 3:04 PM.