Paris Jackson Seeks $600M Transfer From Michael Jackson Estate to Family Trust

Paris Jackson filed a petition with a Los Angeles probate court on October 29, 2026, requesting that $600 million be transferred from her late father Michael Jackson's estate to a family trust established for her and her two brothers, Prince and Bigi. The petition contends that the trust has remained unfunded for more than 17 years despite the estate's substantial assets and revenue generated from major business transactions.

According to court documents, the Michael Jackson Family Trust was established to provide income to the siblings starting at age 21, with staged principal distributions at ages 30, 35, and 40. Paris argues that all three siblings have passed the age-21 threshold, with Prince now 29, Paris 28, and Bigi 24. The filing alleges that the executors have never presented a funding plan to the court and claims the estate holds approximately $600 million in distributable cash after accounting for liabilities. Major revenue sources cited include a 2018 sale of EMI Music Publishing interests for $287.5 million, a 2020 sale of Neverland Ranch for $22 million, and a 2023 Sony deal involving Michael Jackson's music and intellectual property worth $750 million in upfront proceeds.

The estate's executor, John Branca, disputes the petition's claims, stating that full funding cannot occur until ongoing legal matters are resolved, particularly a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service over $700 million in claimed taxes and penalties. The estate reports that more than $200 million has already been distributed for the beneficiaries' benefit and notes that under Michael Jackson's will, "none of his children receive a distribution until they are in their 30s." The estate characterized Paris's assertion that funds are being withheld as "a complete fabrication."

Paris's legal team countered that the executor has failed to take action despite the estate's demonstrated liquidity. Her spokesperson stated: "The estate is once again deflecting from its own incompetence. Paris called for the trust to be partially funded, something Mr. Branca had the ability and obligation to do long ago."

The trust petition is part of a broader dispute over the estate's management. Paris has separately accused executor John Branca of missing court-ordered deadlines for filing complete financial accountings for 2023 and 2024, and previously alleged that Branca sought combined compensation of $109.2 million for himself, his legal team, and his late co-executor John McClain. This filing reflects ongoing tensions over the estate's administration that have persisted since Michael Jackson's death in 2009.