Court documents obtained by PEOPLE reveal that Paris, 27, has objected to the estate executors’ request for court approval of so-called “premium payments” to law firms. These payments, made during a six-month period in 2018, totaled $625,000 and were described as compensation for “unrecorded attorney time.” Paris’s legal team questions why this time was not properly documented, and why the estate appears to have paid 100% of these fees without sufficient oversight or explanation.

According to the filing, two of the law firms had already received these “premium payments,” which the documents claim violates the court’s order to allow only partial payments until full approval is granted. The court papers describe these fees as “lavish gratuities bestowed upon already well-compensated counsel,” raising concerns about potential financial mismanagement.

“These payments raise serious and substantial questions about Executors’ ability to effectively supervise counsel,” the documents state, urging for more transparency and better time-recording practices by attorneys working for the estate. Paris’s team also criticizes the executors for what they call a “gross lack of diligence” in seeking timely court approval for these extraordinary fees.

Paris’s attorney, Craig Peters, pointed out there was “no written agreement” authorizing six-month increment fee approvals and requested a detailed schedule of all outstanding approvals related to accountings and legal fees. A court hearing to address these issues is scheduled for July 16.

Responding to the allegations, Jonathan Steinsapir, attorney for Michael Jackson’s estate, defended the payments as consistent with business judgments that have helped the estate generate over $3 billion. “The objected-to payments are appropriate as, indeed, they are fully consistent with payments made in the decade prior, all of which have been approved by the Probate Court,” he told PEOPLE.

A source close to the estate further explained that the contested bonuses were related to legal work surrounding the 2018 sale of a 10% stake in the EMI catalog—originally purchased by the estate for $50,000 in 2012 and sold for nearly $300 million six years later. The source noted, “Any business in this position would reward those who worked on that matter through the years.”

The source also disputed claims about fee withholding, saying, “They are simply mistaken and do not understand the court’s orders. The estate has paid bonuses like this to attorneys for years and they’ve all been approved without any objections.”

Michael Jackson died in 2009 at age 50, leaving behind more than $500 million in debt owed to over 65 creditors. At the time, the legendary pop star was preparing for a major comeback with a residency in London while simultaneously accruing substantial debt.

Today, Paris Jackson and her brothers Prince and Bigi remain beneficiaries of their father’s estate, which has since transformed into a lucrative business. The recent legal disputes over payments shine a spotlight on the complex financial management behind the legacy of the “King of Pop.”