Paris Jackson has secured a major win in her ongoing legal battle regarding her late father’s finances, with a Los Angeles judge ruling that $625,000 must be returned to the Michael Jackson estate. The singer and model has been engaged in a long-running dispute, expressing significant concerns over how the co-executors of the estate have managed the late icon’s financial affairs, citing a lack of transparency and the potential mismanagement of resources.

Her legal challenge also extended to the recent biopic Michael, which she previously described as a risky investment, noting that the substantial budget allocated from the estate was “troubling.” John Branca and John McClain, who have managed the estate since 2009, have consistently denied these allegations, labeling them “meritless” in previous filings.

According to court documents obtained by People, a judge ruled on Wednesday (May 13) that $625,000 in bonus payments, which had been issued by Branca and McClain to third-party law firms, were not approved and must be returned to the estate. The court also noted that Paris Jackson is entitled to seek reimbursement for reasonable attorney fees and costs associated with the motion.

Paris Jackson Scores Major Legal Win as Michael Jackson Estate Is Forced to ‘Return’ $625K in Bonus Payments https://t.co/4i5vu9BElh

— People (@people) May 13, 2026

A spokesperson for Jackson described the ruling as a “massive win,” emphasizing that her primary focus has always been the best interests of her family. “After years of delay, the Jackson family will finally get the transparency and accountability measures Paris has fought for,” the representative stated. Conversely, attorneys for the estate expressed that while they “disagree” with the ruling, they “fully respect it and plan to move forward accordingly.”

The estate’s legal team maintained that the executors have consistently created substantial wealth for the beneficiaries and noted that the $625,000 in question represented only a small fraction of the estate’s total expenses. They further clarified that none of these funds were paid directly to the executors themselves.

This legal development follows a series of public and private clashes regarding the management of the estate. As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on the balance between the estate’s commercial ventures and the oversight requested by the heirs.