Paris Jackson's legal war with late dad Michael's estate rolls on as she questions executors' fees and management tactics

The battle between Paris Jackson and the co-executors of her late father Michael Jackson's estate continued in Los Angeles for a legal hearing on Wednesday, with both sides digging in amid the courtroom clash.

Paris, 27, in legal docs challenged the spending habits and business judgment of co-executors John Branca and John McClain, who her representatives said have mismanaged the Jackson family funds, and given massive gifts to their friends.

But representatives for the executors point to 'historic success' for the late Thriller singer's estate - and claim Branca and McClain navigated it toward generating 'billions of dollars for Michael’s children ... for the last 16 plus years' in a statement to the Daily Mail. 

A source close to Paris - whose brothers are Prince, 29, and Bigi, 24 -  told Daily Mail in a statement that Paris and her camp 'feel good about how [Wednesday's hearing] went.'

Said the source, 'Paris spent yesterday in court as her legal team raised fact after fact that proved the executors were failing to meet their fundamental obligation to be transparent and accountable.

'We think these unacceptable six-figure bonus payments are just the tip of the iceberg.'

A source close to Paris said of Wednesday's hearing, 'It was contentious at times - these cases always are - but the facts are on our side.'

Jonathan Steinsapir, an attorney for the executors, told Daily Mail in a statement that the executors have operated the estate 'in an impeccable manner,' while delving into detail about specific transactions cited in legal filings.

'The $625,000 of bonuses at issue were perfectly appropriate and were not distributed to John Branca or his firm, but to other law firms who helped the estate generate an astounding $287.5 million profit in 2018 from an initial investment of just $50,000 in 2012,' Steinsapir said.

Steinsapir said that 'contrary to the claims' Paris made in the 'trial brief, there has never been a requirement that any legal fees, including bonuses, needed preapproval from the Court or the beneficiaries.'

Steinsapir told the Daily Mail that 'the estate has never given cars or watches to lawyers or to anyone else.'  

In a March 6 court filing ahead of Wednesday's hearing obtained by Daily Mail, Paris' legal team said that things 'must change' amid 'Branca’s continued, fierce reliance on a deeply flawed fee application and his insistence on doling out gifts to his colleagues.'

Lawyers for Paris said in the filing that Branca’s actions violate court orders, probate code and family wishes - and demonstrate he 'has lost sight of his fiduciary obligations, and belies [his] constant claims of transparency and diligence in administering the Estate' of the late King of Pop.    

Attorneys for Paris said Branca and McClain 'have failed to competently administer the filing of timely and accurate fee applications and have resorted to false statements in an effort to defend self-interested gifts to counsel.'

Their actions are reflective of their 'hubris' and demonstrates their 'disdain for the beneficiaries, the Probate Code’s requirements and this Court’s orders,' Paris' team said in court papers.

Lawyers for Paris made a cinematic reference to Branca in the legal docs, quoting Jack Nicholson's A Few Good Men character Colonel Jessup in an attempt to depict the personality clashes in the ongoing situation.

Said the attorneys: 'Aping the infamous Colonel Jessup, Mr. Branca testified that he had neither the time nor the inclination to explain himself to his beneficiaries, and would rather that you just said "Thank you" and went on your way.' 

Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009 after suffering a cardiac arrest in the Los Angeles mansion he was living in.

Authorities in February 2010 deemed his death as the result of acute propofol intoxication.

Jackson had been administered the powerful drug by his personal doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, who told investigators that the singer called the substance (which he took via an IV drip) 'milk' and said he needed it to sleep.

Jackson's death spurred a tidal wave of international tributes from fans both in person and on burgeoning social media platforms. 

Jackson's family, including his three children - who had not been seen publicly without masks on prior to that time - were on hand for a highly-viewed July 7, 2009 memorial at the Crypto.com Arena (then known as the Staples Center) in Los Angeles.

'I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine - and I just wanted to say I love him so much,' Paris, then 11, said at the emotional service.

A private funeral for Jackson's family and friends was held in Glendale, California at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. 

Eventually, Murray's care of Jackson fell under scrutiny after the singer's death, amid questions about his judgment in giving Jackson the substance in certain doses, and not meeting safety precautions in administering the drug. 

Jackson's death was ultimately deemed a homicide by investigators and in November of 2011 - more than two years after his death - Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.

Jackson had an unprecedented career in music, as one of the best-selling artists of all-time, who won 13 Grammys over 38 nominations.

Honors included Best Male R&B Vocal Performance on Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough in 1980, Album of the Year for Thriller in 1984 and Record of the Year for Beat It the same year.

He was also given the Grammy Legend Award in 1993, and posthumously, The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.