Paris Jackson has asked a Los Angeles judge to order the Michael Jackson estate to transfer $600 million into a family trust for her and her brothers, Prince Jackson and Bigi Jackson. The petition, filed on October 29, turns a long-running dispute over money and management into a direct challenge to the people controlling their father’s assets.

Michael Jackson died in 2009 with debts reportedly approaching $500 million. Since then, his estate has generated billions through music rights, licensing and major asset sales. Paris argues that impressive turnaround has not produced the result Michael intended for his children: funding the Michael Jackson Family Trust.

Why Paris Jackson says $600 million is available

According to the filing, estate accounts showed about $850 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2024. Paris estimates that at least $600 million could be distributed after accounting for liabilities and reserves.

The estate’s major transactions have included:

  • The $287.5 million sale of its interest in EMI Music Publishing in 2018
  • The $22 million sale of Neverland Ranch in 2020
  • A 2023 agreement with Sony involving music and intellectual-property assets

Paris says the family trust remains unfunded despite that liquidity. A 2024 California appellate ruling also confirmed that estate assets had not yet reached the trust because of disputes involving the Internal Revenue Service and other legal matters.

Her filing claims the trust should have provided income to each child from age 21, followed by portions of the principal at ages 30, 35 and 40. Paris is now 28, Prince is 29 and Bigi is 24.

Instead, the petition alleges, the siblings receive smaller amounts chosen by the remaining executor, John Branca. It accuses him of using that control to discourage scrutiny of his conduct.

The estate says unresolved tax cases block full funding

The executors reject Paris’ account. In a statement to People, the estate called allegations that it withheld or reduced payments “a complete fabrication” and said more than $200 million had already been distributed for the children’s benefit.

It also pointed to unresolved litigation with the Internal Revenue Service, which once sought approximately $700 million in taxes and penalties. Although the estate secured a ruling that substantially reduced that demand, it said the dispute remains unsettled and the amount could still change.

“The Estate looks forward to the time when all issues are resolved so that their trusts can be fully funded as Michael wanted,” the statement said.

The two sides also disagree about when the children were meant to receive money. Paris’ petition says trust income should begin at 21, with principal paid in stages starting at 30. The estate says Michael’s will provides that none of his children receives a distribution until reaching their 30s. That distinction is now doing considerable legal work.

Paris’ spokesperson accused the estate of “deflecting from its own incompetence,” arguing that Branca had the authority and obligation to fund the trust partially years ago. “After years of delay, Paris had no choice but to step in herself,” the spokesperson said.

The dispute extends beyond the family trust

The $600 million request sits inside a broader battle over how the estate has been governed. Paris is separately challenging $109.2 million in requested compensation involving Branca, his firm and co-executors. The executors have described her demands as “absurd.”

She has also questioned delayed accountings and legal fees. In an earlier dispute, Paris obtained an order requiring $625,000 in law-firm bonus payments to be returned to the estate.

The central issue is no longer whether Michael Jackson’s catalogue and commercial assets made money. They plainly did. The argument is whether keeping hundreds of millions in cash was a necessary shield against tax and legal liabilities, or an avoidable delay that left his children dependent on the executors they are now challenging.

No court ruling on Paris’ October 29 petition had been reported by November 3.