Chadwick Boseman’s brothers have asked a Los Angeles court to remove the actor’s widow, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, as administrator of his estate, alleging she has withheld assets and failed to distribute funds owed to his parents nearly six years after his death.
According to court filings obtained by People, Kevin Boseman and Derrick Boseman submitted the petition on or around July 17-18, 2026, on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman. The filing seeks Ledward’s removal, a finding of contempt for allegedly violating a 2022 court order, a full accounting of the estate within 30 days, and the appointment of a neutral professional fiduciary to oversee the estate.
Boseman, best known for his iconic role as T’Challa in Black Panther and other films, died on Aug. 28, 2020, at age 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He married Ledward shortly before his passing and died intestate. Ledward was subsequently appointed administrator of the estate, which has generated significant posthumous income through residuals, royalties, image rights and other assets tied to the star’s enduring legacy.
In 2022, the family reached a court-approved settlement that called for an approximately 50/50 split of the estate: half to Ledward and the other half to Boseman’s parents (25% each). Probate documents had previously valued the estate at around $3.8 million before fees and costs, with a net distributable amount estimated in the $2.3 million to $2.5 million range.
The new petition claims Ledward has not properly distributed the parents’ share despite the binding 2022 order. Allegations include a lack of transparency and communication, failure to release funds from bank accounts, investments, SAG-AFTRA residuals and royalties earned since 2020, personal property, intellectual property rights and other assets reportedly still under her control totaling more than $3 million. The brothers also reference a $40,000 long-term care insurance policy intended for their mother.
“[The] lack of transparency creates the appearance that she is concealing assets from Decedent’s family and from the Court,” the petition states, per reports on the filing.
The filing further accuses Ledward of blocking family efforts to pursue business opportunities related to Boseman’s name and legacy that could benefit his parents, resulting in financial hardship and emotional distress for the couple.
As of July 23, 2026, no ruling has been issued on the petition, and representatives for Ledward have not publicly commented in detail or responded to requests for comment. The matter is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court’s probate division.
Boseman’s family had previously appeared to resolve matters amicably in 2022, but distribution issues have evidently continued.
