Chadwick Boseman’s brothers speak out after suing his widow Taylor Simone Ledward over his estate

Derrick and Kevin Boseman have opened up about why they are suing Chadwick Boseman's widow.

The siblings are suing Taylor Simone Ledward, some six years after the Black Panther actor's death.

Chadwick passed away at the age of 43 following a colon cancer diagnosis.

He died on 28 August 2020 following complications after the disease reached stage IV, and now it has emerged that his brothers are taking legal action over the star's estate.

They have filed a petition to remove Ledward from her role as estate administrator, according to court documents seen by PEOPLE this week.

Chadwick passed away six days after marrying Ledward in 2020, but had not prepared a will.

In the legal filing, the brothers allege: "She continues to exercise complete control over his estate without input from Leroy and Carolyn," referring to their parents.

Derrick and Kevin Boseman are taking legal action against their late brother Chadwick's widow (UNIQUE NICOLE/AFP via Getty Images)

His mother and father are reportedly entitled to 25% of Chadwick's estate, while Ledward is entitled to half of her late husband's estate.

The brothers have now released a statement saying they are seeking 'clarity', six years after Chadwick's death.

The statement reads 'for years, our parents have sought clarity regarding matters connected to the estate of our brother, Chadwick Boseman, including his intellectual property and legacy."

"This action was filed on behalf of, and with the authority of, our parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, who assigned their respective interests in the estate to Boseman Family LLC.”

The Boseman family statement continues: “Our family was unaware, until recently, that nearly four years after the Court’s October 4, 2022 Order for Final Distribution, the Administrator had not closed the probate estate. Our petition seeks enforcement of the Court’s Order and the relief requested in the filing,”

“Because this matter is now before the Court, we will respect the legal process while remaining focused on the facts set forth in the petition.”

The family issued Ledward with a 'Final Order' to distribute Boseman's assets.

Chadwick Boseman's widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, is up against legal action from his family (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

This includes a $40,000 Life Long-Term Care Policy for his mother, Carolyn.

They also cited 'royalties and residuals, image and intellectual property rights, real property, a previously undisclosed bank account at CNB, and other personal property'.

His family allege that Ledward 'continues to exert unilateral control over Decedent’s estate, denying Decedent’s family long overdue closure or participation in decision-making regarding matters affecting Leroy and Carolyn’s interests in Decedent’s estate.'

They allege that the widow's 'lack of transparency creates the appearance that she is concealing assets from Decedent’s family and from the Court'.

The statement concluded by saying: “On behalf of our parents, we are committed to ensuring that transparency, accountability, and respect guide the resolution of these matters. Our hope is that this process brings clarity, honors the Court’s orders, and ensures the responsible stewardship of Chadwick’s legacy,” the Boseman family statement continues. “We love our brother, and we remain committed to preserving his legacy with dignity, integrity, and respect.”

“While these matters proceed through the appropriate legal process, we remain focused on protecting our parents’ interests, honouring Chadwick responsibly, and continuing the purposeful work we are building through Boseman Family LLC."