The family of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman is in a legal dispute with his widow

Chadwick Boseman’s siblings are taking the late American actor’s widow to court over her alleged possession of his multi-million dollar estate.

Derek Boseman and Kevin Boseman have filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles to force the Black Panther star’s widow, Taylor Simon Ledward, to distribute money to family members and remove her from the estate.

They say she mishandled the distribution of the funds and “cannot be trusted with the continued management of the estate.”

Boseman He died at the age of 43 In the year In 2020, four years after being diagnosed with colon cancer. He is best known for playing the lead role of Wakanda’s King T’Challa in the Oscar-winning 2018 Marvel blockbuster Black Panther.

Court documents seen by BBC News show Boseman had an estate worth $3.8m (£2.9m) but died without a will.

A court decided that 50% should go to Boseman’s widow, who was appointed administrator of the estate, and 25% to each of the parents.

The actor’s siblings filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Caroline Boseman.

The petition says Ledward still hasn’t distributed the property and “continues to exercise unilateral control.”

Ledward is accused of creating a “lack of transparency” around his assets and “keeping the actor’s parents in the dark” about the deals and operations of the company set up to manage his image and rights.

The brothers say Ledward’s “misconduct is causing ongoing harm” to Boseman’s elderly parents and “depriving them of financial assets at a vulnerable age when such support is most needed.”

“Furthermore, the unnecessary continuation of these proceedings would deny Decent[Boseman’s]family closure and cause emotional distress,” the court filing states.

“Imagine flipping through and stumbling upon a movie of your late son or brother being used by someone you don’t know or trust without your input or permission.”

Ledward — an R&B artist who goes by the name Plate — began dating Boseman in 2015, and they tied the knot in August 2020, six days before the actor’s death.

The BBC has asked her lawyer for comment.

In a statement given to the American media by the brothers of the late actors: “In the name of our parents, we are committed to ensuring that these issues are resolved with transparency, accountability and respect.”

“Our hope is that this process will bring transparency, respect the court’s orders and ensure responsible leadership for Chadwick’s legacy.

“We love our brother, and we are committed to preserving his legacy with honor, dignity and respect.”