Paris’ petition contends that the estate is worth up to $3 billion due to various music publishing, intellectual property and real estate deals — including the sale of Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. It also claims that the trust owed the siblings payments at ages 21, 30 and 40, but that it “remains unfunded.” Paris, 28, is asking for a payment of $600 million for herself, Prince, 29 and Bigi, 24.
Representatives of the estate, including executor John Branca, however, shared a statement with Moneywise citing “several legal hurdles” that they must clear before funding any trusts, including “the ongoing IRS litigation where they sought $700 million in taxes and penalties” that the estate reduced but hasn’t settled. The New York Times also reported in 2024 that Jackson died $500 million in debt, but that the estate eventually paid it off.
The estate said the allegation of “withheld” payments is a “complete fabrication,” that Paris and the other beneficiaries already received $200 million and that Jackson’s will says the distribution to his children wasn’t to start until their 30s. They added that the estate “looks forward to the time when all issues are resolved so that their trusts can be fully funded as Michael wanted.”
Representatives for Paris Jackson didn’t reply to Moneywise’s request for comment, but told the New York Times that the executors “have paid themselves over $200 million,” adding in USA Today that “The estate is once again deflecting from its own incompetence.”
What causes delays in estate distribution?
Your family doesn’t have to include a deceased music legend to find itself struggling with delayed estate distribution.
It takes, on average, about six to nine months to settle an estate — including paying off debts and distributing assets, according to the American Bar Association.
But the process may require even more time depending on the size and complexity of the estate, with an executor tasked with appraising assets, settling debts and filing tax returns for the deceased and the estate — not to mention hunting down the documents necessary to do so.
Niv Persaud, a certified financial planner with Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC in Atlanta, told Moneywise that various issues can create delays in estate distribution, including the need to pay off debts — an issue for Jackson’s estate — and any legal challenges that arise.
“The executor cannot speed up the process, especially when the estate is being legally challenged,” she explained. “If all debts have been paid and all beneficiaries agree to speed up the distribution of part of the estate, there may be a legal way to do so.”
Other issues, like real estate appraisals or sales, can also drag out the process.
