Overview

• The estate’s July 15 court filing says the 2018 premium payouts to three law firms were “well deserved and reasonable” given their role in managing complex probate matters.
• Paris Jackson filed papers on June 24 challenging $625,000 in unrecorded attorney fees as lacking detailed billing records and violating partial-payment court orders.
• Executors John Branca and John McClain highlighted the attorneys’ contributions to securing a $287 million return on EMI shares and resolving high-profile claims.
• A hearing is scheduled for July 16 to determine whether the estate may approve the disputed fees and address concerns over oversight procedures.
• The ongoing fee battle unfolds as the estate continues to negotiate down more than $500 million in liabilities and await final distributions to beneficiaries.