Warner Wright IV says John McClain—Michael Jackson’s former estate co-executor—left behind about $20 million and no will. Wright filed paperwork on Wednesday seeking administrator control, citing urgent bills, maintenance, and time-sensitive tasks.
John McClain died last month, and now the fight over what he left behind is moving fast—down to the paperwork filed on Wednesday.
Warner Wright IV. who says he is McClain’s first cousin once removed but was raised as McClain’s nephew. filed court documents asking that he and McClain’s lawyer. Zia F. Modabber, be named administrators of McClain’s estate. Wright’s request also points to urgent business needs and asks to expedite the process.
In the filing. Wright describes a list of immediate obligations tied to a Malibu property lease payment due. along with “other bills that need to be paid. maintenance issues that need to be handled and managed. creative projects to be preserved. and other regular but time-sensitive matters to address.” To carry out those responsibilities. Wright says he and Modabber need access to McClain’s multiple bank accounts.
Wright puts a number on McClain’s probate estate assets, estimating them at $20,033,862. That estimate—if it holds—frames the stakes of who controls the accounts and how quickly the bills get handled.
What adds pressure to the situation is the claim that McClain had no will. Wright’s filing takes on extra weight given McClain’s history in a battle over Michael Jackson’s will after the singer’s death.
Still, Wright’s move is separate from the Michael Jackson estate itself. He stresses that the filing is about McClain’s estate alone—McClain served as co-executor of Michael’s estate, and this request is not tied to that particular estate.
The timing is also hard to ignore. McClain was hospitalized for a week before his death after a fall at his Malibu home left him with a broken arm. Wright’s filing lands after that last chapter: McClain was medevacked from Malibu to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. where he was treated for complications connected to the fall. He was 71 years old.
For now, the question facing the court is straightforward: with McClain allegedly leaving $20 million behind and no will in place, who gets the authority to manage the accounts and make sure the time-sensitive matters Wright describes are handled without delay?
Michael Jackson estate co-executor John McClain Warner Wright IV Zia F. Modabber probate estate $20 033 862 Malibu property no will Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center