Paris Jackson asks court to cut Michael Jackson's estate executor John Branca's income citing 'persistent incompetence' in meeting deadlines

Paris Jackson has filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court asking to reduce the pay of Michael Jackson's estate executor John Branca, claiming he has missed a series of deadlines in submitting financial statements for the years 2023 and 2024.

Attorneys for the 28-year-old claimed in a filing on Friday, which has been reviewed by The Daily Mail, that 'the gap between executor's level of compensation and his persistent incompetence is intolerable.'

Paris's legal team alleged that 'the only remedy that might prove effective in shaping executor's conduct' would be to 'incrementally reduce executor's compensation for 2023 and 2024 from 15 percent to 10 percent of the gross entertainment-related income.'

Paris's attorneys further alleged in the filing that Branca has demonstrated a 'longstanding refusal, for the better part of a decade, to prioritize timely and complete reporting' of the estate's financial statements.

As a result of the 'mismanagement,' the estate has been mired in 'time-consuming litigation,' Paris's attorneys claimed, while Paris has allegedly had to 'expend time and her own resources trying' to get Branca 'to fulfill his most basic responsibilities.'

Branca has missed 'concrete deadlines' set by the court, Paris's legal team alleged, adding that Branca is also allegedly asking for the court to approve a payment of $109,219,648.27 'in compensation for himself, his now deceased co-executor [John McClain] and his law firm for these two years at issue.'

Paris Jackson, 28, is asking a court to reduce the pay of Michael Jackson's estate executor John Branca, based on what she says are missed deadlines. Pictured in France earlier this month

Branca's team has previously stated that under his management, the value of the estate went from $500 million in debt to being worth more than $2 billion. Branca pictured in NYC in 2023 

Paris is requesting the court 'award her attorneys' fees and costs,' as she thinks her moves are ultimately advantageous to the estate.

A spokesperson for Paris Jackson told The Daily Mail Wednesday, 'Enough of the smoke and mirrors — Paris is asking to reduce the management fee.'

Jackson's spokesperson said that Branca 'has repeatedly failed to meet deadlines ordered by the judge that are in place to provide Paris and her siblings visibility about how the estate is being run.

'Since money is what motivates executor Branca, this is the only way to enforce the timeline he agreed to.'

A spokesperson for Michael Jackson's estate told The Daily Mail Wednesday that it was 'an understatement to say that this motion is completely without merit, nor is it argued on facts.'

Jackson's estate said that while Paris's 'attorneys have motioned for a reduction in executor compensation, when in fact the executors waived that from the estate's beginning, and have never taken any executor compensation.

'They are paid a separate, court-ordered management fee for operating the hugely successful Michael Jackson business.'

The estate said it was 'nonsensical that the motion seeks absurd penalties for the 2023 and 2024 accountings which have already been filed or for the 2025 and 2026 accountings which are not required to be filed for another six and 14 months, respectively.'

Paris is requesting the court 'award her attorneys' fees and costs,' as she thinks her moves are ultimately advantageous to the estate. Pictured in France earlier this month 

Jackson had kept a low profile in the years before his 2009 death, ahead of a planned comeback with a series of shows in London at the O2 Arena. Pictured in March 2009 in London

Branca's team has previously stated that under his management, the value of the estate went from $500 million in debt to being worth more than $2 billion.

Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest in the Los Angeles mansion he was living in. Authorities in February 2010 deemed his death as the result of acute propofol intoxication.

Jackson had been administered the powerful drug by his personal doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, who told investigators that the singer called the substance (which he took via an IV drip) 'milk' and said he needed it to sleep.

Jackson's death spurred a tidal wave of international tributes from fans both in person and on burgeoning social media platforms. 

Jackson's family, including his three children - who had not been seen publicly without masks on prior to that time - was on hand for a highly-viewed July 7, 2009 memorial at the Crypto.com Arena (then known as the Staples Center) in Los Angeles.

'I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine - and I just wanted to say I love him so much,' Paris, then 11, said at the emotional service.

A private funeral for Jackson's family and friends was held in Glendale, California at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. 

Eventually, Murray's care of Jackson fell under scrutiny after the singer's death, amid questions about his judgment in giving Jackson the substance in certain doses, and not meeting safety precautions in administering the drug. 

Police cars blocked the entrance at the Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner where the body of the late Michael Jackson was taken following his death on June 25, 2009

(L-R) Janet Jackson, Paris Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson were pictured at his July 7, 2009 memorial at Staples Center in LA 

Jackson's death was ultimately deemed a homicide by investigators and in November of 2011 - more than two years after his death - Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.

Jackson had an unprecedented career in music, as one of the best-selling artists of all-time, who won 13 Grammys over 38 nominations.

Honors included Best Male R&B Vocal Performance on Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough in 1980, Album of the Year for Thriller in 1984 and Record of the Year for Beat It the same year.

He was also given the Grammy Legend Award in 1993, and posthumously, The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.