Why Michael Jackson estate executors have moved court to recover $115K in legal fees

The

legal fight over Michael Jackson’s estate appears to be showing no signs of ending. Court filings show that the estate’s executors are now asking a Los Angeles judge to approve more than $115,000 in legal fees, following their recent courtroom victory against a motion filed by Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson.

The request was submitted on January 9 by attorneys for executors John Branca and John McClain. It relates to an anti-SLAPP motion the court granted in November, striking down parts of a legal challenge Paris had filed earlier in the year.

The executors argue that because they won that motion, state law allows them to recover the costs of bringing it.

Why Michael Jackson estate filed $115K legal fee request

The filing outlines a breakdown of the fees.

According to the documents cited by PEOPLE, the executors are seeking $93,924.63 in attorneys’ fees and $1,238.39 in related expenses tied directly to the anti-SLAPP motion. The rest reflects additional costs associated with pursuing reimbursement.

The filing says the request is meant to “account for the fees and costs incurred by the Executors in connection with the anti-SLAPP motion so that the Court can determine the amount of the award.”

Paris Jackson challenges estate management

Paris Jackson’s representatives have sharply criticised the move.

A spokesperson told People that Paris has been trying to address what she sees as financial irregularities in how the estate is run. The spokesperson described the fee request as another attempt by the executors and their lawyers to take money from the estate rather than resolve those concerns.

Paris is one of three beneficiaries, along with her brothers Prince, 28, and Bigi, 23.

About the ongoing legal battle

This filing sits inside a wider conflict. In November, Paris accused the executors of abusing their authority and enriching themselves. She claimed that in 2021 alone, they collected more than $10 million in compensation - an amount she said exceeded what family members received.

The executors dispute that. In earlier court papers, they said Paris has already received around $65 million from the estate.

They also point to the estate’s financial recovery after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, when he was reported to be more than $500 million in debt. They say they turned that situation into a profitable business operation.