Chadwick Boseman’s widow is pushing back against his brothers amid an ongoing legal battle over the late actor’s estate.
Taylor Simone Ledward filed a response Thursday, Sept. 24, in Los Angeles court. She disputed allegations made by Derrick and Kevin Boseman. The brothers previously petitioned to have Ledward removed as administrator of Boseman’s estate.
They filed the action on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman.
Ledward’s attorney, Adam Streisand, called the legal action a “baseless attack” against his client. He also described the petition as a “public-relations stunt to smear Simone in the tabloid press.”
“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,” Streisand wrote.
The response claims Ledward distributed nearly all assets required under an October 2022 court order.
Family previously questioned estate distribution
Boseman died without a will in August 2020 following a private battle with colon cancer. He was 43. Under the estate distribution, Ledward received 50% of the actor’s assets. His parents were each entitled to 25%.
Derrick and Kevin previously alleged Ledward failed to fully distribute the estate despite the 2022 order. They also questioned her handling of Boseman’s intellectual property, royalties and other assets.
In July, the brothers said their parents had sought answers about the estate for years.
“For years, our parents have sought clarity regarding matters connected to the estate of our brother, Chadwick Boseman, including his intellectual property and legacy,” they said.
The brothers said their parents authorized the legal action. Ledward now strongly disputes the suggestion that she withheld money from Boseman’s family.
Her filing lists several assets she says were distributed. Those include $151,558 from one bank account and another account containing $241,180.75.
The filing also lists a $40,000 life insurance policy. Additionally, 100 shares of Chadwick Boseman, Inc. were valued at nearly $3.4 million. Ledward claims only one roughly $300,000 IRA remains undistributed. Her attorneys contend the brothers’ legal action prevented that account from being distributed.
Ledward says she went beyond legal requirements
The response also highlights money Ledward says she personally provided to Boseman’s relatives. According to the filing, Ledward gave more than $300,000 of her own money to Derrick’s four children.
Her attorneys cited the payments as evidence against claims that she sought to deprive Boseman’s family. The estate also reportedly received approximately $300,000 in SAG-AFTRA residuals between 2020 and 2024.
Ledward says $150,000 was distributed to Derrick and Kevin at their parents’ request. Her attorneys also pointed toward Ledward’s work surrounding Boseman’s artistic legacy.
Those efforts include the Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts and projects involving Boseman’s work. Ledward’s attorneys said those projects were structured to benefit both sides of the family.
“Simone’s generosity has been both financial and collaborative,” Streisand wrote.
“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.”
Derrick and Kevin have maintained their legal action is about transparency and enforcing the court’s previous order. They said in July that they remain committed to protecting their parents’ interests and preserving their brother’s legacy.
Ledward is asking the court to reject the petition and allow her to remain administrator of Boseman’s estate. The court dispute comes six years after the “Black Panther” star’s death. Boseman was also known for portraying Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall during his celebrated career.