'Black Panther' star Chadwick Boseman's family sues his widow for failing to distribute his estate
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Nearly six years after Chadwick Boseman's death, a legal dispute has emerged within the late actor's family. His brothers, Kevin and Derrick Boseman, have petitioned a Los Angeles court against his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward.
The Boseman family is seeking to remove Ledward as the administrator of the late 'Black Panther' actor's estate. The court filing alleges that she has not fully distributed the estate's assets despite a 2022 court order and has continued to maintain sole control over key financial matters. The brothers say the delays have prevented their parents from receiving their share of the estate.
Why Chadwick Boseman's family wants Taylor Simone Ledward removed as estate administrator
The actor's estate has become the center of a legal battle between his family and his widow, Ledward. Derrick and Kevin Boseman filed the petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 17 on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman.
After Boseman died without a will in August 2020, his estate was divided between his widow, Ledward, who inherited 50 percent, and his parents, who each received a 25 percent share. Ledward, who quietly married the actor shortly before his death after the couple had been together since 2015, was appointed administrator of the estate. The couple did not have children.
In the new filing, the brothers claim Ledward has failed to complete the court-ordered distribution of the estate despite a 2022 ruling, accusing her of "willfully defying a clear directive from this Court." They also allege her "lack of transparency" "creates the appearance that she is concealing assets" from the Boseman family.
According to the petition, Ledward has continued to "exercise complete control over his estate without input from Leroy and Carolyn." Several assets, including royalties, SAG-AFTRA residuals, image and intellectual property rights, real estate, bank accounts, and personal belongings, have allegedly not been fully accounted for.
The filing also claims that a $40,000 long-term care policy intended for Boseman's mother has yet to be transferred. Derrick and Kevin argue that the alleged delays have deprived the family of "long overdue closure or participation in decision-making regarding matters" related to the late actor's estate and financial security.
"Imagine flipping through the channels and stumbling on a film starring your deceased son or brother, knowing that someone you do not know or trust is profiting from his image without your input or consent," the petition reads.
The brothers are asking the court to order Ledward to "show cause for why she should not be held in contempt," suspend her as estate administrator, and appoint forensic accountant Jason Rubin to oversee the estate and investigate its alleged "mismanagement."
They also claim she has "blocked" the family from pursuing business opportunities tied to Boseman's legacy that could benefit his elderly parents.
What was Chadwick Boseman's net worth when he died?
Boseman left behind a lasting legacy through his work in Hollywood. At the time of his death in 2020, his estate was valued at nearly $3.9 million before expenses and legal costs. He became a global star after playing King T'Challa in Marvel's 'Black Panther'.
Before that, he received praise for portraying baseball legend Jackie Robinson in '42', singer James Brown in 'Get on Up', and civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall in 'Marshall'. Boseman also starred in '21 Bridges', 'Da 5 Bloods', 'Avengers: Infinity War', 'Avengers: Endgame', and 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', earning a posthumous Oscar nomination for his final performance.
