Michael Jackson Estate says Katherine has received more than $55 million since his death

Michael Jackson's mother has amassed a fortune since her son's death – tens of millions, which is why she can afford her own lawyers… or so MJ's estate claims.

A representative for the estate confirms to TMZ that they have filed legal documents in their ongoing dispute with Katherine Jackson about her attorney fees, her trying to cover the estate… about a deal the estate made itself, which she is currently appealing.

TMZ has seen the paperwork… and it contains financial information that, if accurate, is absolutely striking.

In the filing, the estate claims that Katherine has received a huge amount of cash and other benefits since Michael's death in 2009… with the estate's executors claiming it all totals more than $55 million in the nearly 15 year.

A good chunk of that money, the estate claims, comes in the form of a monthly stipend that Katherine says is paid from MJ's estate, which totals more than $160,000 per month.

That grant alone amounts to $33 million of the $55 million, according to the estate.

Additionally, the documents say that Katherine is being well cared for by the estate… which claims to have spent more than $15 million to buy and improve her luxury home, not to mention paying for her transportation and other benefits — such as a private gardener, chef and security.

The point of the executors laying out all this is to strengthen their argument. Katherine can afford to cover her own legal fees as she continues her appeal to challenge a huge business deal that the estate made… that she and Michael's son made. Blanketfought together until recently.

It's unclear what exactly that deal is, but it appears to be related to the blockbuster deal Sony made to buy half of MJ's music catalog for 9 figures.

We told the story… Blanket legal documents filed That made it clear earlier this week that he also believed that Katherine should pay her own lawyer's costs for the appeal – and that the estate should not have to foot the bill.

Deken stood by Katherine's side until a judge finally ruled against them, and he decided there was no point in appealing that ruling.

Deken now says he wants to withdraw from the fight, and that Katherine is on her own to appeal.