Chadwick Boseman’s brothers seek widow’s removal from estate role
Kevin and Derrick Boseman accuse Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman of mishandling the late actor’s estate in a Los Angeles court filing.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Chadwick Boseman’s estate is at the center of a new family court fight, with his brothers asking a Los Angeles judge to remove his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, from control of the late actor’s assets.
Kevin and Derrick Boseman filed legal papers Friday, according to TMZ, accusing Taylor of mismanaging the estate nearly six years after Chadwick’s death. The claims are allegations in a probate dispute, and TMZ did not report a response from Taylor.
The brothers say a 2022 court order gave Chadwick’s parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, a combined 50% share of the estate. Taylor was given control of the remaining half, according to the filing described by TMZ, after Chadwick died without a will.
Kevin and Derrick allege that, almost four years after that order, Taylor still has not completed the distribution of estate assets. They claim she has continued to oversee the estate by herself while the rest of the family has not been given enough information about what remains, what has been paid out, or what still needs to be handled.
What the brothers say is still unresolved
The filing says Chadwick’s estate includes movie residuals and royalties, rights tied to his name and image, intellectual property, investments, insurance policies, bank accounts and personal property.
Kevin and Derrick claim the family has not been kept properly informed about those assets, including more than $3 million held across various bank accounts, according to TMZ’s account of the court documents.
The brothers allege Taylor still needs to transfer a long-term care insurance policy to their mother, close and distribute funds from Chadwick’s bank accounts, account for SAG-AFTRA residual payments made after his death and collect and distribute unclaimed property belonging to him.
They also claim Taylor knows about the family’s objections because they have repeatedly asked her to address the estate issues.
What they want the court to do
Kevin and Derrick are asking the judge to hold Taylor in contempt, alleging she failed to comply with the 2022 order. They also want the court to order a full accounting of the estate within 30 days and require the remaining assets to be distributed.
The brothers are seeking to have Taylor permanently removed as administrator. They are asking for attorney Jason Rubin to be appointed in her place, according to TMZ.
The filing also asks the court to stop Taylor from entering major contracts connected to Chadwick’s estate without family approval. Kevin and Derrick want copies of all estate-related contracts and are asking that Taylor be required to cover the family’s attorney fees and legal costs.
The brothers allege the delays have deprived Chadwick’s parents of funds and insurance they are entitled to receive. They also claim the situation has blocked the family from pursuing business opportunities tied to Chadwick’s legacy, caused emotional distress and allowed Taylor to continue profiting alone from his name and image.
Chadwick died on Aug. 28, 2020, from complications of colon cancer. He had privately battled the disease for four years.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.