Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer in August 2020 cut short a career that had already reshaped Hollywood and inspired audiences around the world.
Before his passing, Boseman built a remarkable body of work, playing Jackie Robinson in “42,” James Brown in “Get on Up,” Thurgood Marshall in “Marshall,” and King T’Challa in Marvel’s groundbreaking “Black Panther.” His last screen role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” later brought him a posthumous Academy Award nomination.
Yet for all of his acclaim and professional success, Boseman died without a will.
Nearly six years later, the handling of his estate has become the focus of a court fight involving his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, and two of his brothers.
Kevin and Derrick Boseman have petitioned Los Angeles Superior Court to remove Taylor as administrator of Chadwick’s estate. In their filing, they claim she has not distributed assets, has failed to share financial information with the family, and has retained full control over an estate estimated to be worth about $3.8 million.
The brothers are also asking the court to find her in contempt, require a full accounting within 30 days, and appoint attorney Jason Rubin to manage the estate instead.
Their allegations have not been proven in court, and a judge has not yet ruled on the requests.
(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Disney)
Chadwick Boseman Died Without A Will
Chadwick died on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43. He had privately battled colon cancer for four years while continuing to appear in major films.
Because he did not leave a will, the distribution of his property was governed by California intestacy law rather than by instructions specifying who should receive his assets or control his intellectual property.
Taylor was appointed administrator of the estate.
In 2022, the court approved a distribution under which Taylor would receive half of the estate, while Chadwick’s parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, would divide the other half.
According to Kevin and Derrick, however, that distribution was never fully completed.
Brothers Claim The Estate Remains Under Taylor’s Control
In their July 2026 court filing, Kevin and Derrick allege that Taylor has failed to keep the Boseman family informed about the estate’s finances and business activities.
They claim she never fully distributed the assets required under the 2022 order and has not asked the court to formally close the estate or discharge her as administrator.
Instead, they allege, she has continued exercising complete control over Chadwick’s money, property, income, and intellectual-property rights.
According to the filing, the estate includes:
- Movie and television residuals
- Royalties
- Rights connected to Chadwick’s name and image
- Investments
- Insurance policies
- Bank accounts
- Personal belongings
- Unclaimed property
The documents reportedly identify more than $3 million held in various bank accounts.
The $3.8 million estate valuation should not necessarily be interpreted as a complete measurement of everything Chadwick earned during his career. Probate estates may exclude assets held in trusts, jointly owned property, accounts with designated beneficiaries, or income generated after death.
What The Brothers Say Has Not Been Distributed
Kevin and Derrick identify several specific matters they believe Taylor has failed to resolve.
They claim she has not transferred a long-term care insurance policy intended for Chadwick’s mother. They also allege that she has not properly closed and distributed money held in multiple bank accounts.
The brothers further accuse Taylor of failing to provide a complete accounting of SAG-AFTRA residual payments received after Chadwick’s death.
Residuals can continue producing income when films are shown on television, licensed to streaming platforms, sold internationally, or released through other formats. For an actor connected to a global franchise such as Marvel, those payments and related contractual rights could remain valuable for years.
The filing also refers to personal belongings and unclaimed property that the brothers say should have been collected and distributed.
According to Kevin and Derrick, the delays have left their parents without money and insurance benefits they were legally entitled to receive.
The Family Says It Cannot Pursue Legacy Deals
The dispute extends beyond cash and personal property.
Chadwick’s brothers claim the unfinished estate administration has prevented their parents from pursuing business opportunities involving their son’s work, identity, and legacy.
His portrayal of T’Challa became one of the defining performances of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Black Panther” earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide and became a cultural phenomenon.
Chadwick’s image and body of work could continue generating opportunities involving documentaries, books, exhibitions, charitable projects, merchandise, archival footage, and licensing agreements.
Kevin and Derrick allege that Taylor has continued benefiting from Chadwick’s name and image while leaving the rest of the family unable to participate in decisions or evaluate potential deals.
They say their parents have suffered financial harm and emotional distress as a result.
They Want Taylor Removed
Kevin and Derrick are asking the court to order Taylor to distribute the remaining assets within 30 days and submit a full accounting of the estate’s holdings, income, expenses, and prior distributions.
They also want her held in contempt for allegedly violating the 2022 order, permanently removed as administrator, and replaced by attorney Jason Rubin.
The brothers are seeking further restrictions that would prevent Taylor from entering major contracts involving Chadwick’s estate without the family’s approval. They also want copies of all existing agreements and reimbursement for their attorney’s fees and legal costs.
The filing presents only one side of the dispute, and Taylor has not been found to have concealed or mismanaged assets.
The court must now decide whether she failed to comply with the 2022 order, whether a full accounting is overdue, and whether control of Chadwick Boseman’s estate should be transferred to someone else.
