Chadwick Boseman’s Widow Responds After Late Actor’s Brothers File Lawsuit

Chadwick Boseman’s widow is hitting back after the late actor’s brothers filed a motion to remove her as administrator of his estate.

In new court documents obtained by Us on Thursday, September 24, Taylor Simone Ledward, 35, slammed the petition, which was filed by Chadwick’s brothers Derrick and Kevin, as a “public-relations stunt to smear [her] in the tabloid press.”

Ledward denied allegations that she didn’t comply with orders to distribute the remaining assets from Chadwick’s estate. Ledward insisted via the court documents, which were filed on Thursday in a Los Angeles court, that not only did she follow the court order to distrube the estate, she had been more generous than required when it came to Boseman’s family members.

“Simone has not only complied with the Order, but as a product solely of her own extraordinary generosity, she has gone well beyond what was required of her,” Ledward’s lawyer Adam Streisand wrote in the court docs.

Chadwick Boseman’s Brothers Petition to Remove Widow as Estate Administrator

“Simone’s generosity has been both financial and collaborative. She has always included the Boseman family in her efforts to ensure Chadwick’s memory would endure and flourish long after her husband’s tragic and untimely death,” the documents further read.

“This is how the family repays her: a Petition replete with falsehoods under oath, purposefully used as a public-relations stunt to smear Simone in the tabloid press, not to mention the collateral damage it has caused to her husband’s legacy.”

Kevin and Derrick had petitioned the court via documents filed earlier this month and obtained by Us. The siblings are now requesting — six years after Chadwick’s death — that Ledward be removed from her position as estate administrator.

“[Ledward] continues to exercise complete control over his estate without input from Leroy and Carolyn [Boseman],” Kevin and Derrick’s motion reads, referring to their parents. “[Kevin and Derrick] respectfully request that this court enter an order directing [Ledward] to show cause for why she should not be held in contempt for disobeying the court’s order. [Kevin and Derrick] also ask that the court compel [Ledward] to distribute the remaining estate assets, provide a full accounting with receipts for her time as administrator and remove her from serving as administrator going forward.”

The petition stipulated that Ledward is entitled to 50 percent of Chadwick’s assets since the Black Panther star died without a will, and that Chadwick’s parents should receive 25 percent of the trust.

“Nearly four years later, [Ledward] has still not distributed the estate, nor has she filed a petition for discharge with receipts,” the court filing reads. “Instead, [Ledward] continues to exert unilateral control over Decedent’s estate, denying Decedent’s family long overdue closure or participation in decision-making regarding matters affecting Leroy and Carolyn’s interests in [Chadwick’s] estate.”

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In a statement shared with Us, Kevin and Derrick revealed they filed the lawsuit on behalf and “with the authority” of their parents.

“For years, our parents have sought clarity regarding matters connected to the estate of our brother, Chadwick Boseman, including his intellectual property and legacy,” the statement read. “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. Our family was unaware, until recently, that nearly four years after the court’s [October 2022] order for final distribution, the administrator had not closed the probate estate. Our petition seeks enforcement of the court’s order and the relief requested in the filing.”

Kevin and Derrick further stated their intentions to “respect the legal process.” “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,” the siblings wrote. “We love our brother, and we remain committed to preserving his legacy with dignity, integrity and respect. While these matters proceed through the appropriate legal process, we remain focused on protecting our parents’ interests, honoring Chadwick responsibly, and continuing the purposeful work we are building through Boseman Family LLC.”

Ledward married Chadwick in 2020, three years before his death at age 43 following a private battle with colon cancer.

“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” the statement shared with Us at the time read. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage IV.” The obituary continued, “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson‘s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.”