In a dramatic development surrounding one of the most valuable celebrity estates in history, court filings from Michael Jackson’s estate on October 14, 2025, revealed that Paris Jackson has received approximately $65 million in benefits from her late father’s estate. The disclosure comes amid a legal dispute over alleged “premium payouts” and executor bonuses.

Background on the Legal Dispute

Paris, 27, raised concerns in July 2025 about what she described as “premium payouts” totaling $625,000 to three law firms for unrecorded attorney time. Her petition claimed the payments violated a 2010 court order limiting attorney fee disbursements without court approval.

Paris’ lawyers argued that these payouts were excessive, unnecessary, and unaccounted for:

“At least in part, these payments appear to consist of lavish gratuities bestowed upon already well-compensated counsel,” the June 24 filing stated.

Estate Executors Respond

In filings obtained on October 9, the executors of Michael Jackson’s estate defended the payments, calling Paris’ allegations “knowingly false” and emphasizing that bonuses were tied to “extraordinary services and results.”

“Few have benefited more from the Executors’ business judgment than Petitioner herself, who has received roughly $65 million from the Estate in benefits,” the motion read.

The estate further cited its efforts in turning a debt-laden estate into a $2 billion powerhouse, highlighting its $287 million return on the EMI investment as evidence of prudent management. Attorney Jonathan Steinsapir, representing the estate, said:

“We are confident that the objected-to payments are appropriate as, indeed, they are fully consistent with payments made in the decade prior, all of which have been approved by the Probate Court.”

Paris Jackson’s Inheritance

Paris, along with her brothers Prince and Bigi, became beneficiaries of the estate following Michael Jackson’s death in 2009. At that time, the singer reportedly owed over $500 million to more than 65 creditors, making the estate’s transformation into a multibillion-dollar entity a remarkable achievement.

Executors’ Defense of Legal Payments

The estate insists that attorney bonuses were properly approved and necessary for extraordinary services, particularly during major transactions such as the sale of EMI shares to Sony in 2018. They also argue that Paris’ challenge improperly targets protected legal filings under California’s anti-SLAPP statute.

“All the Executors ask is that Petitioner do so in a procedurally proper way,” the filing reads.

The $600,000 in bonuses, they note, represents a fraction of the $290 million the estate earned in 2018 alone.

Ongoing Court Proceedings

The legal battle highlights tensions between beneficiaries and estate executors, particularly over transparency and compensation. The next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025.

As the dispute unfolds, it underscores the scale of Paris Jackson’s financial benefit from her father’s legacy, while shining a light on the challenges of managing and preserving one of music history’s most valuable estates.