Chadwick Boseman’s widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, is pushing back against an effort by the late actor’s brothers to remove her as administrator of his estate.
In a new Los Angeles court filing, Ledward disputes allegations from Derrick and Kevin Boseman that she failed to properly distribute estate assets after a 2022 probate order. Through attorney Adam Streisand, she characterizes their petition as a “public-relations stunt to smear her in the tabloid press” and maintains that she complied with the court’s instructions.
Us Weekly obtained the Sept. 24 response and independently reported the “PR stunt” accusation. Page Six also reviewed the new filing and reported Ledward’s more detailed accounting of what she says has already been distributed.
The brothers have presented a sharply different account. Their July petition alleges Boseman’s parents have waited nearly four years for a complete distribution and asks the court to remove Ledward in favor of a professional fiduciary. A judge has not yet resolved the competing claims.
Ledward Calls the Petition a ‘Public-Relations Stunt’
Her attorney describes their petition as a “baseless attack” and argues that Ledward should remain administrator. The response also emphasizes that Derrick and Kevin themselves are not Boseman’s legal heirs; his widow and parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, inherited his probate estate after he died without a will.
In their earlier statement, Derrick and Kevin said they were acting on behalf of and with the authority of Leroy and Carolyn, whose interests had been assigned to Boseman Family LLC. PEOPLE reported that position after the July petition.
Ledward’s response says the brothers had threatened litigation years earlier and alleges that details of the current petition appeared in the press before she knew it had been filed.
Her position is that the court should reject the request to remove her and that the brothers’ allegations do not accurately reflect how she has administered Boseman’s estate.
She Says Nearly Every Estate Asset Has Been Distributed
The Los Angeles court entered its final distribution order in October 2022. Derrick and Kevin alleged that the estate was never fully distributed. ABC News reported that they asked for a complete accounting covering residuals, royalties, intellectual-property rights and other property.
Ledward’s response says nearly the opposite. According to Page Six’s review of the filing, she maintains that all assets covered by the distribution order have been handled except one account she says was held back because of the brothers’ earlier legal action.
The filing lists $151,558 from a Bank of America account, 100 shares of Chadwick Boseman, Inc. valued at approximately $3.397 million, a $40,000 insurance-related asset, another bank account holding $241,180.75 and 88 cents in unclaimed property among the assets Ledward says were distributed.
A roughly $300,000 IRA remains unresolved. Ledward says the financial institution held back those funds because of demands arising from the family dispute and that she intends to distribute them once that obstacle is removed. “No Estate asset has been lost, wasted, or mismanaged,” her filing says, according to the reporting.
The Brothers Say Their Parents Are Still Waiting for What the Court Ordered
L.A. Times and ABC News both reviewed that filing, which alleges Ledward did not fully distribute the remaining half of Boseman’s estate to his parents despite the October 2022 court order.
The brothers alleged that Ledward continued to exercise unilateral control without meaningful input from Leroy and Carolyn. They asked the court to compel any remaining distributions, require a complete accounting and remove Ledward as administrator. Their proposed replacement is Jason Rubin, a professional fiduciary and forensic accountant.
In a statement following the filing, Derrick and Kevin said their parents had sought clarity for years and that the purpose of the case was to secure “transparency, accountability, and respect” in the handling of Boseman’s estate and legacy.
Ledward Says She Gave Derrick’s Children More Than $300,000 Herself
The filing says Ledward voluntarily gave more than $300,000 of her own money to Derrick’s four children. Her lawyers point to those payments while disputing the suggestion that she has tried to keep Boseman’s relatives from benefiting financially.
Her response also addresses money generated after Boseman’s death. According to the filing, the estate has received approximately $300,000 in SAG-AFTRA residuals since 2020. Under the distribution arrangement described by Ledward, 50% belongs to her and 25% belongs to each of Boseman’s parents.
Ledward says that, at Leroy and Carolyn’s request, $75,000 from their portions was distributed to Derrick and another $75,000 to Kevin for residuals covering 2020 through 2024.
The Fight Extends Beyond Bank Accounts to Boseman’s Legacy
Both sides also describe themselves as trying to protect Boseman’s legacy, making projects connected to his name part of the disagreement. Ledward’s filing points to the foundation created in Boseman’s name, which provides scholarships, grants and support for Black artists.
Her attorneys also cite the 2026 London production of Boseman’s play Deep Azure. Shakespeare’s Globe confirms that the work received its U.K. premiere at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and that the run was extended after opening.
Ledward’s response says she licensed the production and secured a documentary deal involving Boseman’s life and work, with the brothers’ knowledge and participation.
The Globe production itself is independently documented. The Guardian also interviewed Ledward earlier this year about protecting Boseman’s legacy as Deep Azure returned to the stage.
Boseman Died Without a Will, Leaving a 50-25-25 Split
Boseman died Aug. 28, 2020, at age 43 after privately living with colon cancer for four years. He did not leave a will. Because he had no children, the probate estate was ultimately divided between Ledward and his parents. ET reported in 2022 that Ledward was to receive 50%, with Leroy and Carolyn receiving 25% each.
Earlier court documents valued the estate at approximately $3.8 million before legal and administrative expenses. Ledward also waived the administrator’s fee she otherwise could have requested.
The Filing Says Derrick Officiated Boseman and Ledward’s Wedding
The response also puts an unusually personal piece of the family’s history into the court record. Ledward and Boseman married privately on Aug. 21, 2020, one week before his death. Her new filing says Derrick Boseman officiated the ceremony.
Ledward’s attorneys included the detail while describing her role during Boseman’s illness, saying she cared for him throughout his cancer battle and arguing that the family’s relationship during his final days is difficult to reconcile with the accusations now being made against her.
