Paris Jackson Wins Fight to Claw Back $625,000 in Bonuses Paid to Estate Lawyers: ‘Massive Win

Paris Jackson has won a legal bid to force three lawyers to return $625,000 in bonuses that were paid out by the executor of her father’s estate.

The decision follows a motion filed by the actress and musician to recover payments made in 2018. In a 23-page ruling unsealed on May 13, 2026, retired judge Mitchell Beckloff, who is serving as a private referee for the probate case, granted the motion to claw back the funds.

The bonuses were issued by John Branca, the executor of Michael Jackson’s estate. According to the ruling, the $625,000 was distributed among three legal professionals:

• $250,000 paid to Jay Cooper of Greenberg Traurig
• $250,000 paid to the late lead estate lawyer Howard Weitzman of Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir
• $125,000 paid to Jeryll Cohen of Saul Ewing

Judge Beckloff determined that the estate failed to provide a sufficient factual basis to justify these additional payments. The ruling indicated that the estate did not demonstrate why the standard hourly fees paid to the attorneys were insufficient compensation for their work.

The referee cannot find the bonus payments are just and reasonable based on the information provided. In fact, on the evidence presented, the bonus amounts paid appear arbitrary — what Mr. Branca determined was appropriate

Retired judge Mitchell Beckloff

While the judge acknowledged that Branca may have a deep understanding of the value of legal fees, he stated that there must be a specific and detailed factual basis to support an order finding such fees are reasonable.

As a result of the ruling, the bonus payments must be returned to the estate. The court has established new restrictions on how the estate manages legal compensation moving forward.

The ruling mandates that executors are prohibited from making bonus payments to any attorney as a payment on account unless they obtain an order from the court or referee, or receive written consent from all beneficiaries.

The legal challenge was initiated by Paris Jackson as part of an effort to set clear guardrails regarding the financial disbursements made to the estate’s legal counsel.

A spokesperson for the actress and musician described the outcome as a significant development for the family’s oversight of the estate’s finances.

The Jackson family will finally get the transparency and accountability measures Paris has fought for

Spokesperson for Paris Jackson