A recent change in Michael Jackson’s estate could have an impact on Paris’ battle to regain control
Paris Jackson’s estate dispute for her late father Michael Jackson has taken a new turn after the executor died this week.
Attorney Gregory Doll, who is not involved in the case, spoke exclusively to Page Six after a source told us that a new judge is not expected to replace John McClain, who died Tuesday at the age of 71.
Instead, we’re told entertainment lawyer John Branca – who was appointed executor along with McClain after the King of Pop’s death in 2009 – will likely handle the estate alone.
“Whatever influence McClain, unlike Branca, had on the business decisions made by the estate is unknown,” Doll said. “He is often publicly praised for focusing on Jackson’s artistic legacy.”
The attorney for the case noted that McClain’s passing may have resulted in a “different approach” to the estate’s administration if he had been “an anti-Branca force.”
“But if we think that McClain and Branca were a little compatible in their way of managing the estate while he was alive, nothing will change after his death,” said Doll.
Therefore, the property will continue to be managed “according to Branca’s business decision,” Doll said.
“And it’s possible [Branca will] continue to defend the claims of Paris,” Doll added.
The legal eagle is confident that the legal battle in Paris over his father’s estate will continue “for years to come.”
“It seems to be the default for this building,” he said.
Interestingly, 75-year-old Branca – now the sole executor – has the authority to appoint an executor, or multiple executors, if he is unable to serve, Doll explained.
McClain died Tuesday after a long battle with health problems, Page Six confirmed.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my partner and brother John McClain. One of the world’s greatest innovators in music marketing, John had a vision, a vision for the future,” Branca told Page Six in a statement.
“When we were named in Michael’s will, I knew he would bring a great understanding of Michael’s music and that his friendship and dedication to Michael would underpin all the great projects we could bring to the world.”
When Michael died suddenly of a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose at the age of 50, the singer was hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.
McClain and Branca, named as co-executors in Michael’s 2002 will, helped turn the pop star’s estate from a money pit into a multibillion-dollar business through music, film, Broadway and catalog deals.
While McClain is known for maintaining Michael’s artistic integrity through various projects, Branca focuses on legal and commercial issues.
However, Michael’s 28-year-old daughter, Paris, and other family members have publicly challenged the management and the management’s compensation.
In July 2025, Paris sued McClain and Branca for unauthorized or misdocumented payments, including “double” payments and bonuses to them – claims they have repeatedly denied.
Paris scored a major victory in his legal battle last week when a Los Angeles judge ruled that third-party law firms must return $625,000 in unauthorized bonus payments.
A spokesperson told The Post that Paris “has always focused on what is best for her family and this decision is a huge win for them.”
“After years of delay, the Jackson family will finally receive the transparency and accountability Paris has been fighting for,” the statement said.
Branca and McClain told People earlier this month that they “disagree with the decision” but “plan to move forward accordingly.” However, they also clarified that they did not receive any money from those bonuses.
“Also, to be clear, none of the $625,000 in bonuses—representing only a small portion of the Estate’s expenses at the time in question—were paid to the executors, and the court did not in any way infer that the executors had improperly paid themselves,” they said in a statement.
