Former boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has filed a petition in a California court seeking temporary guardianship of the estate belonging to his 11-year-old daughter, Kaya. The legal action follows the death of the child’s mother, actor Hayden Panettiere, who died on August 16 at age 36 without leaving a will, according to exclusive court documents obtained by TMZ.
Wladimir Klitschko Petitions for Daughter’s Estate Protection
Klitschko filed the guardianship papers in Los Angeles to safeguard the assets of 11-year-old Kaya, who stands as the sole heir to Panettiere’s estate under US inheritance law. Court records cited by TMZ indicate that federal authorities previously entered Panettiere’s West Hollywood home during an ongoing investigation and removed items from the property. Klitschko is asking the court to appoint him as estate administrator so he can reclaim those belongings once the federal inquiry concludes.

The petition also highlights security measures put in place before the actor’s death. Panettiere had hired a security service after an unauthorized individual gained access to her residence. According to the court filings reported by TMZ, legal representatives anticipate that unauthorized attempts to access or acquire property from the estate may continue given the high level of public interest.
Locks on the West Hollywood property have been changed since Panettiere’s passing, and storage units containing her designer clothing and public appearance accessories have been moved to secure locations. The Associated Press noted that while Kaya does not reside in California, the state court retains jurisdiction because the child holds claims to the assets located within the jurisdiction.
Understanding California Intestate Succession and Estate Administration
When an individual passes away in California without a will, the state handles the estate through intestate succession laws. Assets automatically transfer to surviving children when no spouse exists. However, because minor children cannot legally manage property or financial accounts on their own, courts require the appointment of a guardian or conservator to oversee the estate until the minor reaches the age of majority.
In this proceeding, Klitschko’s legal filings stress the necessity of immediate court intervention to secure the real estate and personal property inventoried within the California estate. The appointment of an administrator grants formal authority to interact with federal investigators, manage property upkeep, and retrieve items seized during the ongoing investigation.

Timeline of Events Surrounding the Estate Filing
- August 16: Actor Hayden Panettiere passes away at age 36 without a final will and testament.
- Post-Death Actions: Locks at Panettiere’s West Hollywood home are changed, and stored designer items are relocated for safekeeping.
- Late September 2026: Wladimir Klitschko files a petition in a California court requesting temporary guardianship of financial assets and property on behalf of their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.
Worth a look
- Oasis Halts 1990s Tape Auction With Legal Action
- Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet pose for photos in Croatia
- Exclusive | Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter Zahara legally drops father’s last name (newsylist.com)
- Ex-American Idol Contestant’s Murder Trial Nears Closing Arguments in Wife’s Death (archyde.com)