Wladimir Klitschko has filed an "urgent" motion in Los Angeles to become the temporary guardian of his and Hayden Panettiere's daughter's estate, following the late actress's death. The filing aims to protect the inheritance of their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, who is entitled to the entirety of Hayden's assets.
Background and legal filing
Hayden Panettiere died in August at age 36 at a residence in South Carolina due to the "toxic effects" of several drugs, including fentanyl. Her death was ruled accidental. She is survived by Kaya, whom she had during her nine-year relationship with Klitschko. In 2018, when Kaya was three, Panettiere signed full custody to Klitschko due to her battle with postpartum depression and addiction. Klitschko and Kaya moved to Ukraine, where he is from.
The "declaration of urgency" was filed on September 24. The filing states: "Kaya is a U.S. citizen, residing abroad with her father, Wladimir. Hayden, a U.S. citizen and resident of California, died intestate on August 16, 2026." It adds that although Kaya is not a resident of California, the court has jurisdiction over the guardianship because Kaya is entitled to the entirety of the assets subject to Hayden's probate administration in California.
Concerns over property and security
The documents state that the motion was filed to ensure Wladimir "may receive, manage and hold, on Kaya's behalf, the assets to which Kaya is entitled from Hayden's probate estate." The petition claims that before Hayden died, additional security measures were put into place at her home after an unknown individual had "gained unauthorised access" to her property. Locks were changed, and storage units containing designer clothing and accessories worn at public events were moved as a "precaution".
The files add: "Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expected that the individual will continue to try and misappropriate property belonging to Hayden's Estate." Wladimir has "been informed that certain items of personal property belonging to Hayden, including jewellery, have disappeared or remain unaccounted for." Some items are currently in the custody of law enforcement in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Urgency and next steps
The documents add: "It is urgent and essential that Wladimir be immediately appointed Temporary Guardian of Kaya's Estate, to afford Wladimir the necessary standing to file Hayden's Probate Petition, and the power to nominate a proposed Administrator of Hayden's Estate." Without an immediate appointment, there is a high probability that property belonging to Hayden's Estate may be lost, damaged or dissipated.
According to the filing, federal agents had accessed Hayden's home as part of an ongoing investigation and allegedly removed her property. The Appointment Hearing for guardianship is scheduled for December 7. Reports from Greenville County Medical Examiner showed that Brian Hickerson, Hayden's on-off boyfriend, and his brother Zack, discovered her unconscious on the sofa. The brothers administered two doses of Narcan but failed and called emergency services. Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
