Overview
- Los Angeles Referee Mitchell L. Beckloff on Nov. 10 granted the estate’s special motion to strike most of Paris Jackson’s petition, finding it targeted protected petitioning activity.
- The court ruled the estate is entitled to attorneys’ fees, and on Nov. 13 executors John Branca and John McClain filed to compel Paris Jackson to pay, with the amount not yet specified.
- Only a narrow set of issues remains, including the pace of filings, oversight of attorney billing, and beneficiary transparency, and Paris Jackson plans to submit an amended petition.
- Paris Jackson’s filings alleged irregular payments to outside counsel, including non‑contractual gifts of $125,000 and $250,000 and so‑called premium payouts for unrecorded time, and sought renewed court review of a 2010 order allowing on‑account attorney payments.
- In court papers, the executors defended their stewardship, saying they turned heavy debt into roughly a $2 billion enterprise and that Paris Jackson has received about $65 million in benefits.