Michael Jackson’s family is reportedly embroiled in a battle over his $2 billion estate.
According to the online outlet In Touch, Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson is demanding thousands of dollars from her son’s legacy. The reports claim that Katherine is demanding more than $561,000 from Michael’s estate, allegedly to cover legal bills. In Touch claims the bills came from a previous fight with Michael’s estate executors related to a “lucrative business deal.”
The 93-year-old explained the sum she was seeking was to pay the law firm Glaser Weit Fink Howard Jordan & Shapiro for legal services during her battle. This was according to legal paperwork filed in December last year.
When Michael tragically passed away aged 50 in 2009, his three children were named as the beneficiaries of his $2 billion estate. However, the singer also created the Katherine Jackson Trust to take care of his mother for the rest of her life.
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The executors of his estate, John Branca and John McClain, have allegedly had several disagreements with the Jackson family over the years.
In Touch reported that the executors had claimed that the family had allegedly “taken advantage of the estate and earned millions of dollars through several deals.” The outlet claimed that Katherine had opposed an alleged secret seal the executors had received last year. Branca and McClain had allegedly asked a court to approve the deal, saying that it would be “very profitable.” When Katherine opposed it, the estate argued that she had had similar objections to previous deals that had been successful.
She had allegedly been against the estate’s decision to release Michael’s concert movie This Is It. However, when the movie was eventually released, it proved to be a financial triumph.
Katherine Claims The Estate Can Afford to Pay Her Fees
It Touch reported that the court ultimately sided with the estate, allowing them to proceed with their most recent deal. Katherine has stated that her appeal is ongoing. She has also argued that part of her legal fees should be paid for by the estate.
The law firm she owes the huge payment to was employed to perform several tasks for Katherine. This allegedly included interviewing family members, gathering documents, preparing exhibits for trials, and examining witnesses. The mother of ten has claimed that the more than $500,000 bill she has received only covered “a portion of the appeal work.”
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Katherine also claimed that due to its “ample resources,” the estate could afford to pay her fees. She stated that the estate has “much more than will be necessary to pay its anticipated expenses.”
In Touch reported that Branco and McClain have yet to respond to Michael’s mom’s filing.
Katherine will reportedly have the opportunity to discuss the matter further in court. The date for a new hearing has reportedly been set for March 7 this year.
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When In Touch reached out for comment from Katherine, her reps did not immediately respond.