As we previously reported, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on the classic TV show The Cosby Show, tragically passed away at age 54 after an accidental drowning during a family trip in Costa Rica. Exactly one year after his passing, a major court battle has broken out inside his family over money he promised his wife before they got married.
His widow, Tenisha Warner, has filed a official lawsuit against Malcolm’s mother, Pamela Warner. Before Malcolm and Tenisha got married, they signed prenup. Tenisha claims that Malcolm promised her several financial benefits in that contract, including a $1 million life insurance policy, and payment for her work as his assistant.
Because Malcolm passed away suddenly before transferring those funds, Tenisha says she is owed at least $1.2 million.
She is now asking the court to pay her from the family trust as she believes Malcolm’s estate does not have enough assets to cover the alleged debt. However, Malcolm’s mother, Pamela, is currently in charge of managing that trust. Tenisha argues that she fulfilled her end of the marriage deal and needs the court to make sure the money promised to her and her young daughter is paid out.
Meanwhile Pamela was not only Malcolm’s mom, but also his longtime business manager. She is in charge of protecting the money in his trust and making sure it goes where it was originally intended.
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A judge in DeKalb County, Georgia, will now look at the prenup contract and the rules of the family trust to decide if the $1.2 million must be paid to Tenisha. Until the court makes a final choice, both sides are waiting to see how the famous actor’s final wishes will be handled.