When Chadwick Boseman passed away, he didn't leave behind a last will and testament. His estate was valued at $938,500, according to papers filed in Los Angeles County probate court (via USA Today). At the time of his passing, his estimated net worth was considerably higher. Assets not subject to probate could have been omitted in the estate appraisal.
Later in 2020, Rolling Stone referred to "the late actor's $3.5 million estate." His wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, purchased burial plots for his parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, so that their crypts could be next to Chadwick's. As the administrator of her late husband's estate, Ledward filed for reimbursement for the $23,951 bill, believing the plots were qualified expenses. Ultimately, the judge overseeing the case disagreed, making her foot the bill. The judge gave his assent to reimburse $47,662 that was spent for Chadwick Boseman's funeral costs. The reason his wife had to petition the court was due to California's probate laws.
According to Rolling Stone, because he died without a will, Chadwick Boseman's estate had to be processed through "court-governed disposition," including everything from creditor claims and status reports to referees and appraisals.
While he didn't leave a will behind, Chadwick Boseman took steps to protect Simone in the event of his passing. The couple married shortly before he died, and according to California law, his assets automatically transferred to his wife. She still had to deal with California's probate law on some issues, but her legal fight would have been almost insurmountable had they not wed before he died.
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