Katherine Jackson Loses Appeal Against Michael Jackson’s Estate Over Sale Of His Music Catalog

Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson 

Katherine Jackson Loses Appeal Against Michael Jackson’s Estate Over Sale Of His Music Catalog

Katherine Jackson has lost her latest court battle against Michael Jackson’s estate.

The mother of the late pop icon, who died in 2009, had been embroiled in a legal dispute with his estate over his extensive and historic catalog.

This specific ordeal has been going on for two years and last year, John Branca and A&R executive John McClain, who are the co-executors of Michael Jackson’s estate and trustees of the Michael Jackson Family Trust, were granted permission by a probate court to sell half of his catalog to Sony for $600 million.

Michael Jackson

Katherine Jackson then appealed, however, an appeals court has now denied her claims, ruling that they “lack merit.” The court also pointed out that she didn’t raise her concerns in probate court, and that the sale does not infringe on the trust.

Katherine Jackson had previously stated that before he died, Michael Jackson made it clear to his relatives that he wanted his assets to go to his family should he pass away. However, that desire wasn’t detailed in his will, which has the final say.

His will says his estate will go to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, where the beneficiaries are his children Paris Jackson, 26, Prince Jackson, 27, and Bigi Jackson, 22. Unnamed charities are also listed as beneficiaries.

The appeal notes,

“Here, the will gave the executors broad powers of sale, with no exception for the specific assets at issue in this case. 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.”

Paris and Prince Jackson

Although Katherine is a life beneficiary of a fraction of a sub-trust, the trustees have the authority to put as much money in the sub-trust as they see fit. The court filing says Katherine is provided funds for

“care, support, maintenance, comfort and well-being.”

When she passes away, her portion will go to Michael’s children.

Meanwhile, the estate has not even been distributed to the trust yet because of IRS issues. But John Branca and John McClain were permitted to begin overseeing his business dealings in 2019.

They filed documents about the Sony sale in November 2022, and Katherine expressed concerns, pointing out at the time that the assets would get even more valuable over time and that the estate didn’t need the money from the sale. Still, she also said back then that the two executors could go through with the transaction if they wanted.

What are your thoughts on the court’s decision? Comment and let us know.

[VIA]