Hayden Panettiere’s daughter appears in court as Wladimir Klitschko gets temporary estate control
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hayden Panettiere’s daughter, Kaya, made a rare court appearance alongside her father, Wladimir Klitschko.
The 11-year-old appeared in court for a hearing concerning the guardianship of Panettiere’s estate. On Thursday, October 8, a California court granted the former professional boxer legal authority to protect the estate of the ‘Nashville’ actress following her death.
Kaya is the sole heir to the estate, but she cannot manage it herself because she is still a minor. Klitschko filed an urgent petition last week, alleging that some of Panettiere’s belongings had been taken by federal law enforcement agents for investigation.
Kaya Panettiere appears in court over estate guardianship
Kaya appeared remotely in court alongside her father, Klitschko, but was not shown on camera.
The 11-year-old joined the hearing via videoconference and spoke to the judge when asked to confirm her identity and whether she was with her father.
Kaya wore a white T-shirt and had her hair pulled back. She was soft-spoken and composed as she answered the judge’s questions.
The Associated Press reported that Judge Stephanie Santoro granted Klitschko temporary guardianship of Kaya’s estate until a long-term administrator can be appointed.
The judge also stated that Kaya would not need to attend the next hearing, scheduled for December 7. According to the publication, Judge Santoro asked Klitschko’s lawyer, Diane Park, why the matter was urgent.
Park explained that they believed some of Panettiere’s jewelry had been sold to pawn shops following her death.
She also said that the actress’s assets were at risk of going unaccounted for during the death investigation.
Wladimir Klitschko pays $30K toward Hayden Panettiere’s estate taxes
The former professional boxer paid $30,000 out of his own pocket to avoid “direct financial detriment” to their daughter.
In the documents, Klitschko said he believes the late actress’s 2025 individual state and federal tax returns are due on October 15.
“Without an immediate appointment for these purposes, there is a high probability that property belonging to Hayden's Estate may be lost, damaged or dissipated before a duly appointed personal representative can be in place to protect it,” the filing read.
“This directly and adversely affects Kaya, as she is the sole heir entitled to the entirety of Hayden's probate estate.”
The filing also stated, “Although Hayden's Estate has not yet been distributed to Kaya, Kaya's priority as sole intestate heir gives her the paramount economic interest in preserving the value of Hayden's Estate.”
It further added that appointing Klitschko as the guardian “is necessary to protect that interest from further loss.”
