Taylor Simone Ledward and Chadwick Boseman | Source: Getty Images
Chadwick Boseman’s Family Sues His Widow Over His Estate
Jul 25, 2026 - 01:00 P.M.
Nearly six years after the world lost the "Black Panther" star, his loved ones say the fight for closure is far from over. Derrick and Kevin Boseman have now escalated the matter into a full-blown legal battle against their late brother's wife.
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Chadwick Boseman's family has taken a firm stance against the late actor's wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, in a legal battle over his estate. Chadwick's two older brothers, Derrick and Kevin Boseman, filed a lawsuit against Taylor on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn.
Taylor Simone Ledward and Chadwick Boseman attend the "21 Bridges" New York Screening at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on November 19, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
According to documents obtained by Page Six on Tuesday, July 21, Derrick and Kevin are asking the court to remove Taylor as administrator of Chadwick's estate and order her to distribute assets to Leroy and Carolyn, six years after his tragic death.
The filing, submitted on July 17 in a Los Angeles court, alleges that Chadwick's wife had not distributed her late husband's estate — including more than $3.8 million in assets and cash — as ordered by a court back in 2022.
Taylor Simone Ledward and Chadwick Boseman attend the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
According to the petition, Taylor inherited 50 percent of her husband's estate because the actor died without a will approximately six days after they married in 2020. Chadwick died that August at age 43, following a private four-year battle with colon cancer.
His brothers now claim she was expected to divide the remaining half equally between Chadwick's parents, with each receiving 25 percent. "Nearly four years later, [Taylor] has still not distributed the estate," the documents read.
"Instead, [Taylor] continues to exert unilateral control over [Chadwick's] estate, denying [Chadwick's] family long overdue closure or participation in decision-making regarding matters affecting Leroy and Carolyn's interests in [Chadwick's] estate."
Hugo Soto-Martínez, Derrick Boseman, Ryan Coogler, Taylor Simone Ledward, Kevin Boseman, Viola Davis, Jerry Neuman, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce chairman of the board and Steven Nissen, President & CEO, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce attend as Actor Chadwick Boseman is honored with a Posthumous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 20, 2025 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Kevin and Derrick further allege in the filing that Taylor "failed to fully account" for her late husband's assets, including "royalties and residuals, image and intellectual property rights, real property, a previously undisclosed bank account, and other personal property."
They added that she also neglected to account for "numerous residual payments from SAG-AFTRA dating between 2020 and the present." The brothers went on to claim that Taylor is withholding rights to Chadwick's intellectual property and image.
Chadwick Boseman attends The Cinema Society with Ravage Wines & Synchrony, hosting a screening of Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" at The Museum of Modern Art on February 13, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
"These rights properly belong to [Chadwick's] heirs," the documents state, noting that they are "ostensibly managed by Chadwick Boseman, Inc., a corporate entity completely controlled by [Taylor] and through which she continues to profit from [Chadwick's] fame."
The complaint claims Taylor "blocked" the Boseman family from "pursuing lucrative business opportunities that might benefit [Chadwick's] elderly parents."
Ultimately, the family stated, her "lack of transparency" with them over the estate "creates the appearance that she is concealing assets from [Chadwick's] family and from the Court."
Taylor Simone Ledward and Chadwick Boseman attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In Taylor's place, Derrick and Kevin are asking the court to appoint Jason Rubin, a private professional fiduciary and forensic accountant, as administrator of Chadwick's estate. After news of the lawsuit made headlines, the brothers spoke out in a lengthy statement.
Released on Thursday, July 23, the statement from Derrick and Kevin explained that their parents have sought clarity regarding Chadwick's estate for years, including matters tied to his intellectual property and legacy.
Chadwick Boseman attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
"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," the statement read.
"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."
