Michael Jackson’s daughter and the executor of the pop icon’s estate are battling over her $1.16 million claim for legal fees stemming from a 2018 dispute with estate attorneys, court documents show.
Paris Jackson requested $1.16 million from the estate for legal fees related to her challenge of $625,000 in bonuses paid to estate attorneys in 2018. A court sided with her in April and ordered that the bonus money be returned to the estate.
A judge ruled that Ms. Jackson is entitled to “reasonable” legal fees because she helped recover funds for the estate.
But estate executor John Branca objects to her $1.16 million request, calling it unreasonable.
Mr. Branca contends that Ms. Jackson is seeking payment for unrelated legal expenses and is overstating how much she saved the estate, noting some of the bonus money was returned voluntarily.
He says he supports paying her for the disputes she won and the benefits she provided, but not beyond that.
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