The brothers of the late actor Chadwick Boseman have filed a petition seeking to remove his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, as the administrator of his approximately $3.8 million estate. Kevin and Derrick Boseman allege in a filing with the Los Angeles Superior Court that Ledward Boseman has not properly managed the estate's affairs in the nearly six years since the actor's death on August 28, 2020.
Boseman, known for his role as King T'Challa in Marvel's "Black Panther," died after a private battle with colon cancer. He reportedly died without a will.
The petition states that Ledward Boseman has not adequately informed the family about the estate's business details. A 2022 court order had established that Boseman's parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, were entitled to half of the estate's assets, with Ledward Boseman managing the other half. However, the brothers claim she has not completed the estate's distribution or sought discharge from her duties, while continuing to exert sole control.
According to court documents, the estate includes residuals and royalties, rights to Boseman's image and intellectual property, investments, insurance policies, personal property, and multiple bank accounts. Kevin and Derrick Boseman assert that Ledward Boseman has neglected to address business duties related to an insurance policy, bank account balances, and SAG-AFTRA residuals. They also claim that personal belongings have not been transferred to the late actor's parents.
The brothers argue that their parents have been prevented from pursuing potential business opportunities involving their son's estate due to Ledward Boseman's inaction. This has allegedly deprived them of financial assets at a vulnerable age and caused emotional distress, compounded by their exclusion from business decisions.
Kevin and Derrick Boseman claim they have repeatedly attempted to address these issues with Ledward Boseman without success. They are asking the court to issue an order for her to show cause why she should not be held in contempt for failing to comply with court orders from four years prior.
In their filing, the brothers requested that Ledward Boseman be ordered to transfer the estate's assets to the appropriate parties within 30 days and to provide a complete accounting. They expressed concern that the alleged lack of transparency could create the appearance of concealment of assets from the family and the court.
Furthermore, Kevin and Derrick Boseman are requesting that Ledward Boseman be removed from her administrative role and that attorney Jason Rubin be appointed in her place. They also seek to prevent her from entering into new business deals on behalf of the estate without family approval. The petition includes a request for copies of all contracts entered into for the estate and for Ledward Boseman to cover the attorney's fees and costs associated with the legal dispute.
Chadwick Boseman's death at the age of 43 shocked Hollywood. Beyond his iconic portrayal of Black Panther, he also starred as baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson in "42" and played Levee in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," for which he received a posthumous Oscar nomination.