Pop icon Michael Jackson died in 2009 with a straightforward 5-page will leaving everything he owned to a family trust. This powerful estate-planning technique provided his family with privacy, benefiting his three children and his mother. However, a recent article from The Conversation, “Why Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, won’t stop ‘til she gets enough from his estate,” says the estate battle is far from over. The entire estate, estimated at $2 billion, still hasn’t been fully distributed to the trust.
Paris Jackson is asking a court to take a closer look at how the estate’s executors are managing the assets. She has accused them of paying themselves and the estate lawyers too much and not investing as much as $464 million. If this is true, there’s far less money for her and the other heirs than had been anticipated.
Both executors were selected by Michael Jackson and named properly in his will. They’ve disputed Paris Jackson’s allegations.
When disputes over inherited wealth become national news, it’s difficult to understand because these types of disputes are somewhat obscure. Most people don’t interact directly with the probate court system. However, this case illustrates what can happen to property after death, even if the facts involve unusual assets.
When someone dies without arranging for their property to pass outside of probate (for example through a trust), it must go through probate, a legal process that notifies anyone who might have an interest in the estate and ensures that all of the decedent’s property is handled correctly. The court oversees the collection of assets, the payment of debts and taxes and the distribution of remaining assets to heirs.
In most cases, this process can take about a year to complete. However, if the estate is large or complicated, or there are disputes, probate can last for years—or even decades. In one of the most extreme examples of celebrity estate battles, the estate of Marilyn Monroe wasn’t resolved until 40 years after her death.
Most people name one executor of their will, with backups in case their first choice is unwilling or unable to act. They choose a child, grandchild, spouse, or sibling to serve in this role. In some situations, they name an attorney or another professional to serve as an executor. Michael Jackson named people he felt could manage his assets, including music rights, business interests and licensing agreements. The executors themselves hired lawyers, accountants and other professionals to help. The estate pays them.
Paris Jackson is claiming that the executors are paying themselves too much. Her case is extreme. However, approximately one in nine estates is disputed or contested for a variety of reasons, including challenges to a will’s validity, often based on claims of diminished mental capacity or undue influence. Disputes over who should be the executor, how much they should be paid and how to interpret unclear language in a will are the top reasons for estate battles.
Executors are fiduciaries; they are charged with acting in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries. It’s hard for some executors to be completely neutral. If they are also a beneficiary, the situation can become even more complicated.
Jackson’s estate is complicated and not just because of its size. His assets include a complex portfolio of intellectual property rights, including movies, music deals, publicity rights and other business ventures. The executors are running the entire show, claiming their efforts are generating income. However, are the profits from those efforts benefiting those managing the estate or those who are to inherit it?
Executors have broad power to run an estate, especially when it is run like a business. However, they still are required to justify their decisions to the people who will inherit the assets once the estate has settled. As this dispute progresses, the court will remain involved. The basic truth about probate is clear: even after death, managing wealth can be complicated, slow and contested.
Tips to Avoid Contested Wills & Estate Plans
1. Maintain an Updated and Valid Will
The foundation of avoiding a “will contest” is ensuring your document meets the strict legal requirements of the Texas Estates Code. A will can be challenged if it was not properly witnessed, signed, or if it has been superseded by a newer version.
2. Use a “No-Contest” Clause (In Terrorem)
A no-contest clause is a powerful deterrent. It stipulates that if a beneficiary challenges the will and loses, they forfeit their entire inheritance. While laws vary by state, many jurisdictions—including Texas—enforce these clauses to discourage frivolous lawsuits.
3. Clear Communication with Beneficiaries
Surprises are the primary driver of estate litigation. Discussing your intentions with your family while you are still healthy can manage expectations. If you are disinheriting someone or leaving unequal shares, explaining the “why” now can prevent resentment and legal claims of “undue influence” later.
4. Ensure Mental Capacity is Documented
One of the most common ways to overturn a will is to claim the deceased lacked the mental capacity to understand what they were signing. If you are older or have a medical condition, obtain a letter from a physician confirming your “sound mind” on the day the document is executed.
5. Review Beneficiary Designations Regularly
Not all assets pass through a will. Life insurance policies, 401(k)s, and “Payable on Death” (POD) bank accounts go directly to the named beneficiary regardless of what your will says. Discrepancies between your will and these designations are a common source of legal conflict.
6. Avoid “Undue Influence” Risks
To prevent claims that a caregiver or one specific child pressured you into changing your will, ensure that the person benefiting most from the will is not the one driving you to the lawyer’s office or paying the legal fees. Using an experienced estate planning attorney helps prove that the decisions were yours alone.
7. Consider a Living Trust
Unlike a will, which must go through the public probate court system, a Living Trust allows for the private transfer of assets. Because trusts are managed during your lifetime, they are often much harder to challenge in court than a will, which only takes effect after death.
Contact our office today to ensure you have an up-to-date estate plan.
Reference: The Conversation (April 1, 2026) “Why Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, won’t stop ‘til she gets enough from his estate”
