The family of late actor Chadwick Boseman has taken legal action against his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, accusing her of mismanaging the Black Panther star’s multimillion-dollar estate.
Court documents filed in Los Angeles show that Boseman’s brothers, Derrick and Kevin Boseman, are seeking an order compelling Ledward to distribute estate funds to family members.
They are also asking the court to remove her as administrator of the estate, arguing that she can no longer be trusted to oversee its affairs.
Boseman died in August 2020 at the age of 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He left behind an estate valued at approximately $3.8 million but did not have a will.
Following his death, a court ruled that half of the estate should go to Ledward, while the remaining 50 per cent should be shared equally between the actor’s parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman.
Ledward was also appointed administrator of the estate.
The latest petition, filed on behalf of Boseman’s parents, alleges that nearly six years after his death, the estate has not been fully distributed. It further accuses Ledward of exercising unilateral control over the estate and failing to provide adequate transparency regarding its management.
According to the filing, the family has been excluded from decisions involving a company established to manage Boseman’s name, image and intellectual property rights.
They argue that the lack of information has prevented the actor’s parents from understanding how his legacy is being managed.
The petition also claims the continued delay has caused financial hardship and emotional distress for Boseman’s elderly parents.
“Imagine turning on the television and seeing your late son or brother on screen while someone you neither know nor trust continues to profit from his legacy without your knowledge or input,” the filing states.
Ledward, an R&B singer who performs under the stage name Sahn, began dating Boseman in 2015. The couple married just six days before the actor’s death.
The BBC has contacted Ledward’s legal representatives for comment.
In a statement released through US media, Boseman’s brothers said they hope the legal process will bring transparency, accountability and respect to the administration of the estate.
“Our hope is that this process brings clarity, honours the court’s orders and ensures the responsible stewardship of Chadwick’s legacy,” they said. “We love our brother, and we remain committed to preserving his legacy with dignity, integrity and respect.”
