Chadwick Boseman’s family is seeking to dismiss Taylor Simone Ledward as the estate administrator through a formal request to a Los Angeles court. Boseman, known for his iconic roles in “Black Panther,” “42,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” passed away on August 28, 2020, following a private battle with colon cancer. In a statement to CBC News, Boseman’s brothers, Derrick and Kevin Boseman, expressed their parents’ long-standing pursuit of clarity regarding their late brother’s estate, including intellectual property and legacy matters.
Legal documents obtained by CBC News reveal that Boseman’s brothers filed a petition on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, in Los Angeles on July 17. They allege that despite a court directive in 2022 to distribute Boseman’s estate, Ledward has not appropriately distributed assets and retained exclusive control over certain estate-related business interests.
The filing indicates that Boseman did not leave a will. Following probate proceedings, a judge issued a final order on October 4, 2022, dividing the estate equally between Ledward and Boseman’s parents, while also mandating a long-term care insurance policy for his mother. However, the brothers claim that Ledward has not fully complied with the estate distribution or completed necessary court paperwork nearly four years after the order. They further assert that Ledward has independently managed estate affairs without consulting Boseman’s family.
The petition alleges that Ledward failed to account for various assets, including SAG-AFTRA residual payments, royalties, intellectual property rights, and real estate, with approximately $3 million US reportedly unaccounted for in missing bank accounts. The financial delays are said to have negatively impacted Boseman’s elderly parents and hindered the family’s closure process.
Moreover, the brothers accuse Ledward of assuming control of Chadwick Boseman, Inc., omitting required shareholder meetings, and making unilateral decisions on business matters associated with Boseman’s image and intellectual property. They highlight Ledward’s establishment of The Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts without involving the family and allege exclusionary leadership appointments within the organization.
In their plea to the court, the brothers request Ledward to justify delays in the estate order, expedite asset distribution, undergo removal as estate administrator, and be replaced by forensic accountant Jason Rubin for potential mismanagement investigation. They also demand a detailed financial report from Ledward within 30 days, an injunction against unauthorized contracts involving Boseman’s image and intellectual property, and disclosure of past agreements.
Additionally, the petition seeks a shareholder meeting of Chadwick Boseman, Inc. within 30 days. A court hearing is scheduled in Los Angeles for September 29. The brothers emphasize their desire for transparency, adherence to court directives, and the preservation of Chadwick’s legacy through this legal process.
Ledward has not publicly addressed the allegations, and CBC News’ attempts to obtain comments from her legal representatives remain unanswered.