Chadwick Boseman's Widow Fights Brothers' Bid to Remove Her as Estate Administrator

Taylor Simone Ledward, widow of Chadwick Boseman, is pushing back against an effort by the late actor's older brothers to have her removed as administrator of his estate. In recent court filings, Ledward accused Kevin and Derrick Boseman of launching what she characterized as a 'public-relations stunt' meant to 'smear' her in tabloid media, according to Page Six. Ledward rejected claims made in the brothers' July lawsuit, which was brought on behalf of their parents. The suit alleged that she had failed to properly distribute Boseman's assets in the six years since his August 2020 death, even though a court had ordered her to do so. The brothers requested that forensic accountant Jason Rubin take over as estate administrator. In her response, Ledward's attorney Adam Streisand stated that she had followed the court's order and had also given roughly US$300,000, or $428,000, to Derrick's children, Boseman's nephews, out of a desire to see his family cared for. The filing said Ledward had 'not only complied' with the order but had gone 'well beyond' what was required, attributing that to her own 'extraordinary generosity.' It added that her support had been financial and collaborative, and that she had consistently involved the Boseman family in efforts to preserve and grow Chadwick's legacy after his tragic and untimely death. According to the filing, Ledward has distributed all of Boseman's estate except for a single account that the family blocked from distribution, and it asked that she remain as administrator. Because she and Boseman married before his death, Ledward is entitled to half of his estate, which includes more than $5.4 million in cash and other assets. Boseman left no will. His parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, are each entitled to 25 percent. Boseman died in 2020 at age 43 following a private four-year struggle with colon cancer. He and Ledward were first romantically linked in 2015, shortly after she graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Their marriage was not confirmed until his death was announced. A statement at the time said he died at home, surrounded by his wife and family.