The family of late actor Chadwick Boseman is locked in a legal dispute with his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, over the management of his estate.

Boseman’s brothers, Derrick and Kevin Boseman, filed a petition in a Los Angeles court on behalf of their parents. They want Ledward removed as administrator of the estate. They accuse her of mismanaging assets and failing to be transparent about estate matters.

Family Raises Concerns Over Estate Management

According to court documents, the brothers claimed Ledward “cannot be trusted with the continued administration of the estate”. They also alleged that she has exercised “unilateral control” over the distribution of funds.

Boseman, who played King T’Challa in the hit film Black Panther, died in August 2020 after a private battle with colon cancer. He was 43 years old.

The actor died without leaving a will. At the time of his death, his assets were valued at $3.8 million.

Dispute Over Distribution of Assets

After Boseman’s death, a court appointed Ledward as administrator of the estate. The court ruled that she would receive 50% of the assets. Boseman’s parents were each awarded 25%.

However, the brothers alleged that Ledward has “still not distributed the estate”. They also claimed she has not shared information about deals and business activities involving the company that manages Boseman’s image and rights.

In the filing, the brothers argued that Ledward’s “misconduct is causing ongoing harm” to Boseman’s parents. They said it is depriving them “of financial assets at a vulnerable age when such support is most critical”.

Family Cites Emotional Distress

The petition also stated that the ongoing proceedings have caused emotional pain for the family.

“Moreover, the needless continuation of these proceedings denies Decedent’s [Boseman’s] family closure and causes emotional distress,” the filing states.

“Imagine flipping through the channels and stumbling on a film starring your deceased son or brother, knowing that someone you do not know or trust is profiting from his image without your input or consent.”

Ledward, a former R&B singer, began dating Boseman in 2015. The couple married six days before his death in August 2020.