Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Widow Sues His Mother for $1.2 Million

The widow of late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has filed a lawsuit against his mother for $1.2 million.

The actor died in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica on July 20, 2025.

His widow, Tenisha Warner, filed the complaint in Dekalb County, Georgia on Monday, the one-year anniversary of his death. The suit names the actor’s mother, Pamela Warner, as a defendant because she manages the Warner Family Trust, which The Cosby Show star established in 1996.

According to court documents obtained by People and NBC News, Tenisha alleges the actor did not fulfill financial obligations outlined in a prenuptial agreement the couple signed before they were married in May 2022.

Among those obligations, the complaint says Warner agreed to obtain a $1 million life insurance policy naming his wife as the “sole beneficiary.” The lawsuit says he died before securing the policy.

“The Decedent died without having satisfied his obligations under the Agreement, and no person or entity has paid or provided the sums due to Plaintiff under the Agreement,” the complaint states.

The lawsuit says the trust should satisfy the alleged debt. Tenisha is seeking $1,276,042.46, plus interest, attorney’s fees and court costs.

According to the complaint, the $1.2 million amount includes what would have come from life insurance, plus $50,542.46 for an anniversary payment listed in the agreement, $30,500 related to a Roth IRA, and $195,000 for work Tenisha says she performed as her late husband’s chief of staff.

She recently filed a similar complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to People. Tenisha told the outlet she tried to settle the matter before taking legal action

“For the last year, I have attempted to privately settle my beloved husband’s complicated estate and honor his last wishes,” she said. “Malcolm had every intention to provide for our 9-year-old daughter and me. He was close to finalizing a new estate plan to replace the stale plan created in 1996 when he was 26 years old.”

On the anniversary of Warner’s death, his mom Pamela shared a tribute on Instagram, and appeared to address the legal dispute without naming anyone directly.

“During my year long journey, I have discovered how cruel, evil and greedy a human can be,” she wrote. “I have also discovered the depth of love, care, concern and support that humans are capable of. All of which I have been the recipient of. The good, the bad and the ugly. These are the lessons that apparently I will need as I continue my journey.”

The legal battle is expected to get more attention Thursday when CBS Mornings airs an interview Tenisha did with Gayle King.