Paris Jackson has secured a significant legal victory in an ongoing dispute involving the finances of Michael Jackson’s estate.

According to court documents filed in Los Angeles, a judge ruled that 625,000 US dollars in bonus payments made by estate executors John Branca and John McClain to outside law firms must be returned to the estate.

The ruling stated that the payments, which were made during the second half of 2018, were not approved by the court and are therefore disallowed.

Judge Rules Bonus Payments Must Be Returned

“Ms. Jackson’s objection to the $625,000 of bonus payments made in the second six months of 2018 is sustained,” the court order stated.

“The bonus payments are not approved; they are disallowed. The payments shall be returned to the estate.”

The judge also ruled that Paris Jackson is entitled to seek reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and legal costs connected to the case.

The order stated that she may file a motion for reasonable legal fees under the “common fund theory” due to her successful objection to the executors’ fee petition.

Estate Attorneys Respond To The Decision

Attorneys representing Michael Jackson’s estate said they disagreed with the ruling but would comply with the court’s decision.

In a statement, the estate’s legal team said the court had also recognised the work carried out by the executors and outside counsel over the years.

The statement argued that the executors had helped create “real and substantial generational wealth” for the estate’s beneficiaries.

The estate also stressed that none of the disputed 625,000 dollars had been paid directly to executors John Branca or John McClain.

According to the statement, outside counsel had previously agreed to return any disputed funds if payments were later rejected by the court.

Paris Jackson’s Team Calls Ruling A Major Victory

A spokesperson for Paris Jackson described the court ruling as a major win for the Jackson family.

The spokesperson said Jackson had long sought greater transparency and accountability regarding the management of the estate.

The statement also accused estate executor John Branca of prioritising personal ambitions over the interests of beneficiaries, allegations that estate representatives have denied.

“After years of delay, the Jackson family will finally get the transparency and accountability measures Paris has fought for,” the spokesperson said.

Long-Running Estate Disputes Continue

Paris Jackson, along with her brothers Prince Jackson and Bigi Jackson, remains one of the beneficiaries of Michael Jackson’s estate.

She has previously accused executors John Branca and John McClain of abusing their positions for personal financial gain, claims they have consistently denied.

The legal dispute represents the latest chapter in the continuing management battles surrounding one of the most valuable celebrity estates in the entertainment industry.