Paris Jackson has scored a major ‘W’ in her ongoing dispute over payments tied to her father Michael Jackson’s estate.
According to a ruling unsealed Tuesday, a retired judge ordered three attorneys to return a combined $625,000 in bonus payments that had previously been approved by estate executor John Branca in 2018.
The payments included $250,000 to attorney Jay Cooper, $125,000 to attorney Jeryll Cohen and $250,000 to the late estate lawyer Howard Weitzman.
In the 23-page decision obtained by Rolling Stone, retired Judge Mitchell Beckloff wrote that the estate failed to provide enough detail to justify the additional compensation.
“The referee cannot find the bonus payments are just and reasonable based on the information provided,” Beckloff wrote. “The bonus amounts paid appear arbitrary.”
The ruling also bars executors from issuing future attorney’s fees without written approval from all beneficiaries or court authorization. Paris, 28, had petitioned the court for stricter oversight of legal fees connected to the estate. Beckloff additionally ordered that 30 percent of future attorney fees be withheld until formally approved.
A spokesperson for Paris praised the outcome in a statement to Rolling Stone, calling it “a massive win” for the Jackson family and saying it would finally bring “transparency and accountability measures.”
Representatives for the estate said they disagreed with the decision but would “fully respect it.”
Paris is one of three beneficiaries of Michael Jackson’s estate alongside her brothers Prince and Bigi Jackson.
