09/24/2026
Chadwick Boseman was a Hollywood superstar worth millions… yet he died without a will or trust. 😳
The result? His estate went through PUBLIC probate, and California intestacy law—not an estate plan created by Chadwick—determined who inherited his probate estate.
His widow received 50%, while his parents were each entitled to 25%. Now, nearly SIX YEARS after his death, his family is back in court. Chadwick's brothers, Derrick and Kevin Boseman, have filed a petition on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn, asking the court to remove Chadwick's widow as administrator of the estate. They allege that the estate still has not been fully distributed despite a 2022 court order.
And this is exactly why estate planning matters.
A properly drafted and funded trust could have allowed Chadwick to decide:
⚖️ Who controlled and administered his assets
💰 Who received what—and when
🔒 How much of his estate administration remained private
📋 How his legacy, royalties, and other assets would be handled
Would a trust guarantee that his family would never disagree? Of course not. But it could have avoided probate for properly funded trust assets and provided Chadwick's own instructions instead of relying on California's default intestacy laws.
And perhaps the craziest part? Chadwick Boseman had wealth, success, and access to sophisticated advisors—and still died without an estate plan.
If it can happen to Chadwick Boseman, it can happen to anyone.
Estate planning isn't only about how much money you have. It's about CONTROL, PRIVACY, and making things easier for the people you leave behind.
Don't let California write your estate plan for you.
⚖️ Heather Lynn Law, APC
California Estate Planning Attorney