Latest news with #NeverlandRanch
Daily Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Paris Jackson's bitter battle over Michael Jackson's estate
Michael Jackson's estate revealed they dealt with 'issues' related to one of the King of Pop's ex-wives and his former home as part of a plea for legal fees. Earlier this month, the pop star's daughter Paris raised 'serious' concerns over payments made from her father's estate. The payouts in question were to law firms for 'unrecorded attorney time' in 2018, which was unclear what the lawyers were being paid for. In court documents from February 2025 obtained by Us Magazine, the estate's executers, John Branca and John McClain, detailed what one of the law firms worked on during that period. According to the lawyers, some work was done 'addressing issues relating to Michael Jackson's former spouse'. RELATED: Staggering wealth of MJ's kids exposed 'Big allure': Secret MJ homes reveal sad life Presley's girl exposes life at MJ's Neverland However, the filing did not identify which of the singer's former wives was involved. Jackson was married to Lisa Marie Presley from 1994 to 1996 and Debbie Rowe, who is the mother of Paris and her brother Prince, from 1996 to 2000. Other matters included legal issues related to the musician's former home, Neverland Ranch, and meetings with a potential buyer. The property was put on the market in 2015 for $US100 million ($A128 million). After five years and numerous price cuts, the sprawling property finally found a buyer. Billionaire and friend of the late pop star Ron Burkle purchased the 2700-acre (1092Ha) estate for $US22 million ($A28 million). It was considered a 'bargain' far below its initial asking price of $US100 million ($A128 million). Paris, who is one of the beneficiaries of her father's estate along with her brothers Prince and Bigi, objected to 'premium payouts' made for unrecorded attorney time. In her court filing, the 27-year-old's argued, 'During this [six-month period] alone in 2018, Executors request that the Court approve $625,000 ($A957,000) in payments to three law firms for what they say is uncaptured time, without explanation as to why counsel was incapable of recording unbilled time, or why such a failure should not preclude payment.' Her lawyer added, 'Even worse, these payments appear, at least in part, to consist of lavish gratuities bestowed upon already well-compensated counsel.' Jackson's legal team argued the payouts reflect poorly on the executers of the estate, writing: 'These irregular payments raise serious and substantial questions about Executors' ability to effectively supervise counsel … and refraining from wasteful, six-figure gift-giving to themselves and their colleagues.' The filing added: 'Despite repeated inquiries from the Court, Executors are unable to provide even remotely satisfactory explanation for their delay, nor have they provided the beneficiaries any sort of plan to fix this ongoing and worsening issue.' A hearing has been set for later this month. MORE: Fortune left behind by Ozzy revealed DiCaprio's insane $35m ask exposed Silverchair star's huge move after demolishing Aus home
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Paris Jackson's bitter battle over Michael Jackson's estate
Michael Jackson's estate revealed they dealt with 'issues' related to one of the King of Pop's ex-wives and his former home as part of a plea for legal fees. Earlier this month, the pop star's daughter Paris raised 'serious' concerns over payments made from her father's estate. The payouts in question were to law firms for 'unrecorded attorney time' in 2018, which was unclear what the lawyers were being paid for. In court documents from February 2025 obtained by Us Magazine, the estate's executers, John Branca and John McClain, detailed what one of the law firms worked on during that period. According to the lawyers, some work was done 'addressing issues relating to Michael Jackson's former spouse'. However, the filing did not identify which of the singer's former wives was involved. Jackson was married to Lisa Marie Presley from 1994 to 1996 and Debbie Rowe, who is the mother of Paris and her brother Prince, from 1996 to 2000. Other matters included legal issues related to the musician's former home, Neverland Ranch, and meetings with a potential buyer. The property was put on the market in 2015 for $US100 million ($A128 million). After five years and numerous price cuts, the sprawling property finally found a buyer. Billionaire and friend of the late pop star Ron Burkle purchased the 2700-acre (1092Ha) estate for $US22 million ($A28 million). It was considered a 'bargain' far below its initial asking price of $US100 million ($A128 million). Paris, who is one of the beneficiaries of her father's estate along with her brothers Prince and Bigi, objected to 'premium payouts' made for unrecorded attorney time. In her court filing, the 27-year-old's argued, 'During this [six-month period] alone in 2018, Executors request that the Court approve $625,000 ($A957,000) in payments to three law firms for what they say is uncaptured time, without explanation as to why counsel was incapable of recording unbilled time, or why such a failure should not preclude payment.' Her lawyer added, 'Even worse, these payments appear, at least in part, to consist of lavish gratuities bestowed upon already well-compensated counsel.' Jackson's legal team argued the payouts reflect poorly on the executers of the estate, writing: 'These irregular payments raise serious and substantial questions about Executors' ability to effectively supervise counsel … and refraining from wasteful, six-figure gift-giving to themselves and their colleagues.' The filing added: 'Despite repeated inquiries from the Court, Executors are unable to provide even remotely satisfactory explanation for their delay, nor have they provided the beneficiaries any sort of plan to fix this ongoing and worsening issue.' A hearing has been set for later this month.
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Conservationists slam 'out of proportion' plans for US billionaire Soho House owner's six-bedroom Cotswolds mansion
Conservationists have labelled plans by Soho House's US billionaire owner to build a six-bedroom Cotswolds mansion as 'out of proportion'. Locals in Little Tew have been battling against Ron Burkle's bid to build a lavish six-bedroom country pile on farmland in the quaint Cotswolds idyll, and have now been joined in their objections by the conservation group. Mr Burkle, who owns celebrity hotspot Soho House and Michael Jackson 's former Neverland ranch, has rubbed shoulders with Elton John and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. He hopes to construct a six-bedroom house which would have a gun room, lift, entertainment room and wine store, several reception rooms, a butler's pantry and a domed entrance hall said to be inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The sprawling manor house would also feature a natural swimming pool, bather's pavilion in the 'pleasure ground' area, stable block and estate manager's cottage plus a circular lawn that may be a helipad. But villagers have drawn battle lines against it and have been struggling for the best part of three years to have the scheme thrown out by West Oxfordshire District Council. Originally rejected in 2022, a renewed bid has since been lodged which has seen a total of 42 objections and 33 supporting comments submitted. Now, the Little Tew Conservation Group has voiced their concerns over the plans which they believe to be 'out of proportion'. They said: 'The impact of the proposed development upon the setting of the Little Tew Conservation Area would be harmful. 'This has been discussed and set out in previous submissions made by the Conservation Group and planning and conservation officers. 'As for public benefits, these are of little weight and not as claimed in the summary of benefits submitted. 'They do not produce overall environmental benefits but there are harmful impacts including on ecology, hydrology, landscape, heritage, archaeology and enjoyment of the footpaths in the countryside.' The group said all these concerns 'substantially outweigh any public benefits', adding: 'It is not accepted to be an outstanding piece of architecture and landscape design but completely out of place in the proposed location.' Plans for the house also include details of gardens, a stables courtyard, solar panels, a new lake and tree nursery. Worlledge Associates, on behalf of the applicant, said: 'The use of classical architectural forms is appropriate. The scale of the house and its designed landscape is appropriate and fits historic precedents. 'The proposed location of a house of this size is consistent with historic precedents. Understanding and experience of the agricultural context of Little Tew (and Great Tew) will remain. 'The proposed development would not result in harm to the setting of Little Tew. The character and use of the site as farmland will change, but intellectually and in a sensory way this will add to people's experience.' However, one neighbour vehemently against the proposals labelled them a 'monstrous carbuncle'. They said: 'Rather than being a development of 'truly outstanding quality', I believe it to be a proposal of truly outstanding grotesquerie. 'It would be a travesty for light and sound pollution to be increased by such a massive intrusion on the outskirts of our village. 'Please reject what would clearly be an inappropriate, non-isolated, habitat-threatening, polluting, un-enhancing and insensitive "monstrous carbuncle".' Mr Burkle is a Californian investor behind a string of deals involving US supermarkets. He bought a majority stake in Soho House - which includes Soho Farmhouse - in 2012 and serves as executive chairman. The ultra-rich American also owns Michael Jackson's infamous Neverland ranch, which he purchased in December 2020 for around £16million. He is behind plans for the Mullin Automotive Museum in nearby Enstone approved last year despite almost 200 objection letters sent to the council. The planning committee rejected earlier designs for the house in 2022 for failing to represent a 'truly outstanding development' and not meeting specific planning criteria. In a recent interview the 72-year-old mogul said he would be a good neighbour wherever he ends up living and support local charities and community organisations. He also said he is still in the process of buying the land and the current owner had drawn up the plans before he got involved. Mr Burkle added that he would only proceed to buy it if he gets planning approval.
