Most families never face a nine-figure estate. But the frustration behind a newly reported dispute in Los Angeles probate court is familiar to many California beneficiaries. They want to know what is happening with a loved one’s money, and they feel shut out. As estate and probate attorneys, we see this situation often. The legal tools involved in this case are the same ones available to ordinary heirs.
What Happened
According to recent media reports describing court filings, Paris Jackson, a daughter of the late Michael Jackson, has asked a Los Angeles court to reduce the pay of the executor who manages her father’s estate. Her motion was reportedly filed on October 23, 2026. It alleges that executor John Branca did not comply with an April 2026 court order requiring updated financial accountings.
The filing reportedly states that a September 15 deadline was extended to September 30. It further claims that the records produced around the extended date were still incomplete.
The motion challenges a request for court approval of roughly $109.2 million in combined compensation for two years of work. That figure reportedly covers the executor, his late co-executor, and a law firm. Paris Jackson’s attorneys allege three main problems:
- About $90.9 million of that compensation left the estate before a judge approved it.
- The 2024 accounting contains a discrepancy of nearly $1 million.
- The missing information prevents beneficiaries from checking the figures used to calculate the fees.
She is asking the court to lower the executors’ share of the estate’s gross entertainment-related income from 15 percent to 10 percent. The reduction would apply to 2023, 2024, and later years until complete and accurate accountings are filed. She is also seeking attorney’s fees and costs.
Reports indicate that she and her brothers raised concerns about delayed accountings as far back as 2018. A hearing is reportedly set for December 4, 2026, before a judicial referee. The court has not ruled. The allegations remain contested, and no wrongdoing has been established.
Who May Be Liable
When beneficiaries believe an estate is being mismanaged, several parties could face scrutiny depending on the facts:
- The executor or personal representative. This is the person appointed to administer the estate. They owe legal duties to the beneficiaries and to the court, and they could be held accountable if they fail to meet those duties.
- Co-executors. When more than one person serves, each may share responsibility for decisions made during their time in office. In some cases, claims may extend to a deceased co-fiduciary’s estate.
- Professionals paid by the estate. Attorneys, accountants, and business managers paid from estate funds may have to justify their fees to the court. In this case, compensation requested for a law firm is part of the challenged total.
- Successor trustees. If assets are held in a living trust rather than passing through probate, the trustee owes similar duties of loyalty, care, and disclosure.
An executor is not automatically liable simply because beneficiaries are unhappy. A court must find that a duty was actually breached.
Legal Theories That May Apply
California law gives beneficiaries several possible avenues:
- Breach of fiduciary duty. An executor must act with loyalty, prudence, and honesty toward the estate. Failing to do so may expose them to personal liability.
- Failure to account. Courts can order personal representatives to file detailed financial accounts. Beneficiaries may ask the court to compel accountings that are missing, late, or incomplete.
- Reduction of compensation for delay. California Probate Code §12205 allows a court to reduce an executor’s or attorney’s pay. The court must find that administration took longer than allowed, the delay was within that person’s control, and the delay did not serve the estate or interested persons.
- Surcharge. Under Probate Code §9601, a fiduciary who breaches their duties may be ordered to personally repay losses to the estate.
- Removal. Probate Code §8502 permits the court to remove a personal representative for reasons such as mismanaging the estate or failing to perform their duties.
- Recovery of wrongfully held property. Probate Code §850 and related sections allow interested persons to petition for return of property. In certain bad-faith situations, §859 may allow recovery of twice the property’s value.
Damages Victims May Recover
In probate, remedies look different from a typical injury case. Depending on the facts, a court may order:
- A reduction in, or denial of, executor or attorney compensation
- Repayment of fees taken without required court approval
- A surcharge to cover losses caused by mismanagement or self-dealing
- Interest or lost growth on money that was improperly withheld or spent
- Double damages in qualifying bad-faith cases involving wrongfully taken property
- Attorney’s fees and costs in some circumstances, though awards are not guaranteed
- Removal of the fiduciary and appointment of a replacement
Evidence That Strengthens a Case
Beneficiaries who challenge an executor generally need documentation, not just suspicion. Helpful evidence often includes:
- Prior court orders and deadlines. These show exactly what the executor was required to do and when.
- Every filed accounting. Comparing totals year over year can expose math errors or unexplained gaps, like the alleged discrepancy in this case.
- Bank and brokerage statements, royalty reports, and contracts. These reveal how money actually came into and left the estate.
- Fee calculations and court approvals. These help determine whether compensation was paid before a judge authorized it.
- Written requests for information. Emails and letters can establish a pattern of delay or refusal.
- A forensic accountant’s report. Experts can trace funds and test whether reported numbers hold up.
- A detailed timeline. A clear chronology helps show whether delays were within the fiduciary’s control.
What to Do Next
If you suspect an executor or trustee is not being transparent, these conservative steps can help protect your position:
- Keep everything. Save all notices, accountings, letters, and emails related to the estate or trust.
- Put requests in writing. Ask for financial information formally so there is a record of what you requested and when.
- Read accountings carefully before the hearing. Objections usually must be raised before the court approves an account. Silence may be treated as acceptance.
- Do not sign receipts, releases, or waivers without review. These documents can limit your ability to object later.
- Watch deadlines closely. In California, a will contest after probate is admitted, or a trust contest after formal notice, is often subject to a 120-day window. Other claims have their own time limits.
- Avoid informal side deals. Discussing settlements with the fiduciary or their attorney before getting independent advice can weaken your position.
If you or a loved one is worried that an estate or trust is being handled without proper transparency, you do not have to sort it out alone. The team at LA | Estate Plans can review your documents, explain your options under California law, and help you decide on a measured next step. Learn more at https://laestateplans.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask a court to cut an executor’s pay in California?
Yes, in certain situations. Under California Probate Code §12205, a court may reduce compensation if administration took longer than allowed, the delay was within the executor’s control, and the delay did not benefit the estate or beneficiaries. Courts may also deny or reduce fees tied to alleged mismanagement.
What can I do if the executor won’t show me the estate’s finances?
You may ask the probate court to order a formal accounting. If an executor ignores court-ordered deadlines, beneficiaries may seek remedies such as a fee reduction, a surcharge, or removal. An attorney can help you decide which request fits your situation.
Is it legal for an executor to pay themselves before a judge approves it?
Generally, executor compensation in a court-supervised California probate requires court authorization. Paying fees early without permission may be challenged, and a court could order the money returned. Whether a specific payment was proper depends on the court orders and agreements in that estate.
How long do I have to challenge a will or trust in California?
A will contest after the will is admitted to probate, and a trust contest after a trustee sends formal notice, are often subject to a 120-day deadline. Objections to an executor’s accounting usually must be raised before the court approves it. Because deadlines vary, it is wise to speak with counsel promptly.
Can a beneficiary have an executor removed?
Yes, it may be possible. California Probate Code §8502 lets a court remove a personal representative for reasons such as mismanaging the estate or failing to perform required duties. The beneficiary typically must present evidence supporting the request.
Do I have to pay my own attorney’s fees to fight an executor?
Often, each side pays its own legal fees, but there are exceptions. In some cases, a court may shift fees or order a fiduciary to cover costs caused by their conduct. In this reported case, the beneficiary is asking for her fees, and the court has not yet decided.
Original reporting: aol.co.uk.