Chadwick Boseman’s family have claimed that his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, “cannot be trusted” with the distribution of his multimillion-dollar estate and are planning to take her to court over the matter.
Derrick and Kevin Boseman have filed a petition with a Los Angeles court in a bid to force his widow to distribute money to family members.
The legal row comes six years after the Hollywood actor died at the age of 43, after he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016.
Now, his brothers claim that Ledward has mishandled distribution of the funds from Boseman’s estate and “cannot be trusted with the continued administration of the estate”.
BBC News reports that it has seen court documents stating that Boseman had assets worth US$3.8m (£2.9m). However, he did not have a will when he died.
It was decided by a court that 50 per cent of the assets should go to Boseman’s widow, who was also appointed the estate’s administrator, and 25 per cent should go to each of his parents.
Derrick and Kevin said in a statement released on 23 July that “for years, our parents have sought clarity regarding matters connected to the estate of our brother, Chadwick Boseman, including his intellectual property and legacy.
“This action was filed on behalf of, and with the authority of, our parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, who assigned their respective interests in the estate to Boseman Family LLC.”
They also accused Ledward of “a lack of transparency” around Boseman’s assets, and of keeping his parents “in the dark” about the inner workings of a company set up to manage his image and rights, according to the broadcaster.
The court filing continued, saying Ledward’s “misconduct is causing ongoing harm” to their elderly parents, as well as depriving them “of financial assets at a vulnerable age when such support is most critical".
In their initial petition, which was filed on 17 July and seen by People, the brothers also claimed that Ledward “continues to exert unilateral control over Decedent’s estate, denying Decedent’s family long overdue closure or participation in decision-making regarding matters affecting Leroy and Carolyn’s interests in Decedent’s estate”.
Ledward, who goes by the moniker Sahn in her R&B career, had been dating Boseman since 2015 and they married only six days before the actor’s death in August 2020.
No statement or response to the court filing was available through Ledward’s attorney or otherwise at the time of writing.
The brothers’ statement, released to US media, continued: “On behalf of our parents, we are committed to ensuring that transparency, accountability, and respect guide the resolution of these matters.
“Our hope is that this process brings clarity, honors the Court’s orders, and ensures the responsible stewardship of Chadwick’s legacy.
“We love our brother, and we remain committed to preserving his legacy with dignity, integrity, and respect.”
The Standard has contacted Ledward’s attorneys for comment.
Last year, Boseman was honoured posthumously with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Ledward accepted it on his behalf during the ceremony.
“In life, Chad was more than an actor, or even an artist, “ she said as she accepted the star. “He was a spiritual teacher, fortified by a family and close friends that kept him grounded in faith; a team that believed in him, protected him and fought for him.
“Colleagues that trusted his vision, that lifted him up and forged a real brotherhood: you have no idea how pivotal those moments were.
“Chad, today we recognise a lifetime of artistry. We recognise your skill and your devotion, and we cement your legacy as a hero and an icon. You lived with honour, and you walked with truth. You were as brilliant as you were beautiful as you were kind. We love you, we miss you, we thank you.”
