Chadwick Boseman’s family is seeking the removal of his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, as the administrator of his estate through a petition filed in a Los Angeles court. Boseman, known for iconic roles in “Black Panther,” “42,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” passed away on August 28, 2020, following a private battle with colon cancer at the age of 43.
In a statement to CBC News, Boseman’s brothers, Derrick and Kevin Boseman, expressed their parents’ long-standing quest for clarity regarding matters related to their brother’s estate, including his intellectual property and legacy. Legal documents obtained by CBC News revealed that Boseman’s brothers filed a petition on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, in Los Angeles on July 17.
The petition alleges that despite a court order for the distribution of Boseman’s estate in 2022, Ledward has not fulfilled her duties adequately. She is accused of maintaining sole control over certain business interests associated with the estate. Boseman passed away without a will, and a judge issued a final order in the probate proceedings on October 4, 2022, splitting his estate equally between Ledward and Boseman’s parents, along with arranging a long-term care insurance policy for his mother.
However, Boseman’s brothers claim that Ledward has not fully relinquished estate assets or completed necessary court paperwork almost four years after the court order. They assert that Ledward has continued to make decisions unilaterally without consulting the family. The petition also raises concerns about unaccounted money, alleging that Ledward failed to distribute or account for various assets, including financial residuals and real estate properties.
The brothers are seeking Ledward’s removal as estate administrator and the appointment of a forensic accountant to probe potential mismanagement. They urge for a detailed explanation from Ledward, immediate distribution of remaining estate assets, and an injunction to prevent her from entering contracts related to Boseman’s image and intellectual property without family consent. A hearing is scheduled in Los Angeles for September 29. The brothers hope that this legal process will bring clarity, uphold court orders, and ensure the responsible preservation of Chadwick’s legacy.
As of now, Ledward has not publicly responded to the allegations, and CBC News is awaiting comments from her legal representatives.
