Connect with us

NEWS

Katherine Jackson’s Latest Appeal Denied in Ongoing Legal Battle over Michael Jackson’s Estate

Published

on

Katherine Jackson's Latest Appeal Denied in Ongoing Legal Battle over Mi

A Los Angeles court ruled that Katherine Jackson’s arguments against a proposed transaction don’t hold water  After nearly two years of legal back-and-forth over Michael Jackson’s estate, a Los Angeles court has sided with the King of Pop’s estate co-executors, effectively shutting down his mother Katherine’s repeated objections to a proposed catalog sale with a hefty price tag.

 

Katherine, 94, had filed multiple objections after attorney John Branca and A&R executive John McClain, the co-executors of Michael’s estate and trustees of the Michael Jackson Family Trust, received a favorable ruling last year in probate court that allowed them to move forward with a reported $600 million sale of half of Michael’s music catalog to Sony.

 

Michael Jackson (R) leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse with his mother Katherine Jackson (L) after another day of proceedings in his child molestation trial April 21, 2005 in Santa Maria California. Jackson is charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a boy, plying him with liquor and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

 

In court documents filed on Wednesday, Aug. 21 and obtained by PEOPLE, Katherine’s latest appeal was denied, as her contentions “lack merit” and were not previously made to the probate court that approved the transaction, and because a review found that the transaction does not violate the terms of the trust.

 

Attorneys for Katherine declined to comment when reached by PEOPLE
The Jackson family matriarch had also argued that before his death in 2009, Michael had told family members that he wanted to keep the estate assets in the family in perpetuity. But according to the new documents, that argument doesn’t hold water, as it’s Michael’s intent as expressed in his will that ultimately controls what happens.

 

“Here, the will gave the executors broad powers of sale, with no exception for the specific assets at issue in this case,” the court filing says. “As such, the probate court did not err in concluding that it was Michael’s intent to allow the executors to sell any estate assets, including those at issue in the proposed transaction.”

 

Per Michael’s will, his entire estate was to be given to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the beneficiaries of which are his three children Prince, 27, Paris, 26, and Bigi, 22, as well as unnamed charities.
Katherine is a life beneficiary of a portion of a sub-trust, which allows the trustees to distribute as much to the sub-trust as they deem necessary; in Katherine’s case, she’s given money for her “care, support, maintenance, comfort and well-being,” according to the filing. When she dies, any assets that were set aside for her will be passed to the kids’ share of the trust.

 

Prince Michael Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Blanket Jackson, and Paris Jackson attend the immortalization of Michael Jackson at Grauman's Chinese Theatre Hand & Footprint ceremony on January 26, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

 

Though the estate has yet to be distributed to the trust due to disputes with the IRS, per the filing, Branca and McClain were authorized by a probate court in 2019 to continue to operate Michael’s businesses. In November 2022, they filed a petition to approve the proposed Sony transaction, which was ultimately granted — despite Katherine’s objections. In challenging the sale, she claimed that the assets were valuable, and would appreciate over time, and that the estate didn’t need the cash the sale would bring in. She did, however, agree that the probate court could grant Branca and McClain permission to make the sale if they wanted, something noted in Wednesday’s filing.

NEWS6 days ago

Breaking news: Tennis legend Venus Williams officially welcomes her first babies, a set of twins, with her newly wedded husband today

CELEBRITY6 days ago

BREAKING: Hailey Bieber DEFENDS Justin Amid Diddy Scandal What she just said SHOCKED everyone — is she hinting at a secret?… Read more

NEWS6 days ago

Tayvis takeover in Palm Springs! ☀️💕 Spotted just before Coachella—power couple energy unlocked! 🎶

CELEBRITY1 week ago

Exciting Taylor Swift Announcement Turns Heads on Thursday

NEWS1 week ago

Justin and Hailey finally shared a picture of their son Jack bieber and he looks beautiful 🥺🤍

NEWS1 week ago

BREAKING: Ja’Marr Chase donated his entire $4.7 million bonus and endorsement deal to charities and homeless relief

NEWS2 weeks ago

As Taylor Swift Reportedly Takes Legal Action Against Kanye West Over Viral Posts, An Insider Drops Claims About Her Boyfriend Travis Kelce’s Feelings

Kayla Nicole said she’s done “dating and hiding” after her five-year relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce changed everything for her. Read more link in comment👇
NEWS2 weeks ago

Kayla Nicole said she’s done “dating and hiding” after her five-year relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce changed everything for her. Read more link in comment👇

Why did Melania Trump skip Tiffany's baby shower
NEWS2 weeks ago

Why did Melania Trump skip Tiffany’s baby shower; here’s the reason people are citing. The truth is…See more

Kate Hudson, 45, rocks micro shorts for date night with fiance at Coachella
NEWS2 weeks ago

Kate Hudson, 45, rocks micro shorts for date night with fiance at Coachella

NEWS2 weeks ago

The United States and China are locked in a faceoff over tariffs. No one wants to blink first. Could this be the beginning of the THIRD WORLD WAR???

NEWS2 weeks ago

“Be my life partner” — Travis Kelce brings joy to the NFL world as he finally proposes to Taylor Swift with a $12 Million Ring. The proposal reportedly took place in a private and intimate setting with close friends and family present to share in the joyous occasion…

Copyright © 2024 Firstrol