Paris Jackson Wins Court Fight Over $625,000 in Michael Jackson Estate Legal Bonuses
Paris Jackson has secured a significant legal victory in her ongoing dispute over the management of Michael Jackson’s estate, after a retired judge ordered three attorneys to return a combined $625,000 in bonus payments approved by executor John Branca.
In a 23-page ruling unsealed this week, retired Judge Mitchell Beckloff determined that the payments, issued in 2018 to outside counsel working on the estate, were not adequately justified and must be returned. The bonuses included $250,000 paid to attorney Jay Cooper, $125,000 to Jeryll Cohen, and $250,000 to the late estate lawyer Howard Weitzman. Beckloff concluded there was insufficient evidence showing why those attorneys deserved additional compensation beyond their already billed hourly fees.
The ruling marks a notable win for Paris Jackson, who had asked the court to impose tighter oversight on legal spending tied to her father’s estate. In his decision, Beckloff said the payments appeared arbitrary based on the material presented, writing that while executor John Branca may have expertise in valuing legal work, the court still requires a clear factual basis to determine whether such fees are reasonable.
The judge also introduced new restrictions on future legal payments. Going forward, the estate’s executors will not be allowed to issue bonus payments to attorneys without either written approval from all beneficiaries or direct court authorization. In a separate financial control measure, Beckloff ordered the estate to withhold 30 percent of attorneys’ fees until a formal order approves those payments.
Paris had argued that stronger accountability was necessary after what her legal team described as years of vague billing practices and delayed disclosures. Her attorneys pushed for even stricter terms, asking the court to withhold 40 percent of legal fees as leverage to ensure timely reporting and reduce what they characterized as inflated billing submissions. While the judge stopped short of granting that exact request, he credited Paris as the driving force behind broader transparency reforms, including a separate order requiring the estate to file overdue attorney fee petitions covering 2019 through 2024 by September 2026.
A spokesperson for Paris celebrated the ruling, calling it a major victory for the Jackson family and framing the case as a fight for financial accountability rather than personal conflict. The statement sharply criticized Branca, accusing him of mismanaging estate resources and prioritizing his own ambitions over the interests of Michael Jackson’s heirs.
The estate, however, pushed back against that characterization. In its response, representatives said the executors disagree with the ruling but intend to comply fully. They also emphasized that the court acknowledged the estate’s broader financial success under current leadership, noting that the business has transformed dramatically since Michael Jackson died, when it was reportedly facing severe financial instability.
The estate further argued that outside legal counsel had always understood those payments were subject to court approval and could be returned if rejected. Representatives stressed that none of the disputed funds were paid directly to the executors themselves, and that the ruling did not accuse Branca or other estate leaders of personally enriching themselves through improper payments.
Paris Jackson, 28, is one of three primary beneficiaries of the estate, alongside her brothers Prince and Bigi Jackson. According to recent court filings, her attorneys said the dispute has taken a personal toll, describing the litigation as painful and disruptive to her own career and private life.
Michael Jackson died in Los Angeles in June 2009 at age 50 from an accidental overdose of propofol. Since then, his estate has become one of the most financially successful celebrity estates in entertainment history, a fact that has made questions around oversight and distribution increasingly significant for the Jackson family.
