<\/p>\n
Chadwick Boseman\u2019s brothers filed a petition last week seeking control of the late actor\u2019s estate<\/a>, accusing their brother\u2019s widow of mismanagement and failing to distribute the assets. <\/p>\n The court filing from Derrick and Kevin Boseman says that since their brother did not leave a will, his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, inherited half of his estate while his parents were given an even split of the other half. But it was Ledward who was appointed administrator of the estate. <\/p>\n Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, the late actor\u2019s parents, assigned the brothers to handle their interests in the estate and allowed them to file the petition against Ledward. Chadwick Boseman and Ledward did not have any children together.<\/p>\n The brothers accused Ledward of not distributing the estate to their parents and argued that she \u201ccontinues to exercise complete control\u201d without their input. <\/p>\n At the time of the \u201cBlack Panther\u201d actor\u2019s death, Ledward reported his estate to be worth more than $3.8 million in assets, according to the filing. This failed to take into account royalties, residuals, image and intellectual property rights, and other assets, the Boseman brothers\u2019 filing said. <\/p>\n They also alleged to have learned of the existence of another bank account that Ledward had not accounted for and they \u201ccannot determine the current status or whether it was distributed,\u201d the filing said. <\/p>\n They also outlined concerns that Ledward engaged in contracts with third parties regarding the actor\u2019s image and intellectual property without consulting his parents. The filing said that the unilateral decision-making by Ledward \u201cexceeds her authority as administrator\u201d in addition to creating emotional distress for the Boseman family. <\/p>\n \u201cImagine flipping through the channels and stumbling on a film starring your deceased son or brother, knowing that someone you do not know or trust is profiting from his image without your input or consent,\u201d the filing said. <\/p>\n The family also negotiated a deal for a documentary about Chadwick Boseman\u2019s life along with his widow, but the filing alleged that Ledward \u201centered a separate agreement\u201d that she did not provide to them. That means they do not know if the agreement is \u201cinequitable, adverse to, or conflicts with the estate\u2019s interests,\u201d the filing said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe nature of Decedent\u2019s private battle with cancer meant that his seemingly sudden death at the height of his fame shocked most of the outside world,\u201d the filing said. \u201cAs a result, the contemplated documentary will garner immense interest from Decedent\u2019s millions of fans and attract significant proceeds.\u201d <\/p>\n The Boseman brothers asked the court to replace Ledward with a private professional and forensic accountant to examine the estate\u2019s management. <\/p>\n Representatives for Ledward did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. <\/p>\n Chadwick Boseman died at age 43 in 2020. His choice not to publicly disclose his colon cancer diagnosis meant that his death<\/a> blindsided his fans and even some of his closest colleagues.<\/p>\n The actor was likely best known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Black Panther. The standalone film for the superhero, directed by Ryan Coogler, was a blockbuster, earning $1 billion in the month<\/a> after its February 2018 release.<\/p>\n But Boseman was a dramatic heavyweight outside of the world of action and adventure.<\/p>\n