Chadwick Boseman’s family is seeking to have his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, removed as the administrator of his estate through a legal petition filed in a Los Angeles court.
Boseman, renowned for his portrayal of King T’Challa in “Black Panther” and acclaimed performances in “42” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” passed away on August 28, 2020, following a private battle with colon cancer that lasted four years. He was 43 years old.
In a statement shared with CBC News, Boseman’s brothers, Derrick and Kevin Boseman, expressed their parents’ longstanding quest for clarity concerning matters related to their brother’s estate, including his intellectual property and legacy.
Legal documents obtained by CBC News reveal that Boseman’s brothers lodged a petition on July 17 in Los Angeles on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman. They allege that despite a court order for the distribution of the late actor’s estate in 2022, Ledward has allegedly failed to distribute assets appropriately and retained exclusive control over certain business interests associated with the estate.
It is stated in the filing that Boseman passed away without leaving a will. Subsequently, a judge in probate proceedings issued a final order on October 4, 2022, to divide his estate equally between Ledward and Boseman’s parents, also stipulating the establishment of a long-term care insurance policy for his mother.
However, Boseman’s brothers claim in their petition that the process has been prolonged. They assert that nearly four years after the 2022 order, Ledward has not fully transferred estate assets or completed required court paperwork. Furthermore, they allege that Ledward has continued to independently manage estate affairs without consulting Boseman’s family.
The petition raises concerns about unaccounted funds, alleging that Ledward did not appropriately distribute or account for various assets and money, including SAG-AFTRA residual payments, royalties, intellectual property rights, and real estate. The brothers also highlight alleged discrepancies in bank accounts amounting to nearly $3 million US, causing financial hardship to Boseman’s elderly parents and hindering the family’s closure process.
Moreover, the brothers claim that Ledward unilaterally assumed control of Chadwick Boseman, Inc., failed to involve the family in decision-making, and established The Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts in 2021 without consulting his parents. They accuse Ledward and her associates of creating leadership positions within the foundation that excluded the family.
The brothers are demanding the court to compel Ledward to justify delays in executing the 2022 estate order and to immediately distribute remaining estate assets. They are also seeking Ledward’s removal as estate administrator, proposing forensic accountant Jason Rubin to investigate potential mismanagement.
Additionally, the petition requests Ledward to provide a comprehensive account within 30 days, prohibits her from entering contracts related to Boseman’s image and intellectual property without the brothers’ consent, and demands disclosure of prior agreements. It also calls for a shareholder meeting of Chadwick Boseman, Inc. within 30 days, with a hearing scheduled in Los Angeles for September 29.
In their statement to CBC News, the brothers expressed their desire for a transparent process that upholds court orders and ensures the responsible preservation of Chadwick’s legacy.
Ledward has not publicly responded to the allegations, and CBC News’ attempts to reach her attorneys for comment have not been successful at the time of writing.