Michael Jackson's estate claimed in legal filings on Thursday (March 21) that his mother, Kathryn Jackson, has received more than $55 million since the singer's death – a revelation that emerged during a bitter dispute between her executors estate and of the elder Jackson.
The new deposits, received from Advertising signwere aimed at proving that the estate itself should not have to pay for Katherine's recent legal bills, which stem from her attempts to block an unspecified business transaction — believed to be the estate's recent listing deal estimated at $600 million with Sony.
In making this argument, the executors of the estate John Branca and John McClain argued Thursday that “virtually none of Ms. Jackson's requests for care or maintenance have been denied” in the years since Michael's death in 2009.
“Contrary to Ms. Jackson's attorney's claims, the executors in fact generously provided for Ms. Jackson's maintenance, care and welfare,” attorneys for Branca and McClain wrote. “Since Michael's death, executors have spent more than $55 million on Ms. Jackson's behalf.”
The elder Jackson reportedly received more than $33 million in cash, including an ongoing allowance of $160,000 a month, plus a $15 million luxury home, the estate claimed. Branca and McClain also claimed they provided Katherine with a $3.7 million emergency payment in December to satisfy back taxes.
“It is difficult to imagine that the trustees could have provided more freely for Mrs. Jackson,” the executors' attorneys wrote.
Thursday's filing is the latest development in an ongoing feud between Katherine and executors over her opposition to the unspecified business transaction. While the disputed deal has not been named in court documents, Jackson's estate recently struck a roughly $600 million deal to sell part of the singer's catalog to Sony, the terms of which were first reported by Advertising sign last month.
After Jackson's estate sought court approval for the anonymous deal in 2022, Kathryn filed objections in court. But in April 2023, the judge overseeing the estate dismissed those objections and ruled the deal could go ahead. Catherine then appealed, which is still pending.
In December, Kathryn filed motions asking that the estate pay for the legal bills she incurred to file her objections, including the ongoing appeal. In an initial response earlier this month, Branca and McClain strongly objected to the request to be paid for what they called a “failed plea” and a “meritless appeal.”
Earlier this week, Michael's son Blanket echoed those objections, claiming his grandmother's appeal was an “extremely long endeavour” and that it would be “unfair” to make him and his siblings pay for it the case.
In their new filing Thursday, Branca and McClain went even further — claiming the estate shouldn't have to pay Katherine's lawyers for filing objections that had caused “substantial harm.”
“It is significant that this petition does not concern the maintenance, care, comfort and support of Mrs. Jackson,” the executors' attorneys wrote. “This petition concerns the payment of attorneys' fees for an objection filed on Ms. Jackson's behalf, which the trial court denied, and the subsequent frivolous and still pending appeal.”
Katherine Jackson's attorney did not immediately return a request for comment.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/michael-jackson-mom-received-55m-since-death-estate-1235639136/
