Wladimir Klitschko seeks temporary guardianship over late Hayden Panettiere’s estate for daughter Kaya

Wladimir Klitschko has made an urgent legal move to protect the inheritance of his and late actress Hayden Panettiere’s daughter, Kaya , following the actress’s death in August.

The former heavyweight boxing champion has petitioned a Los Angeles court to appoint him temporary guardian of 11-year-old Kaya’s estate, according to court documents reported by Page Six and TMZ.

The filing says the appointment would allow Klitschko to receive, manage and safeguard assets that his daughter is entitled to inherit from her mother.

Kaya is a U.S. citizen but currently lives abroad with her father. Because she’s Panettiere’s only surviving child, Klitschko’s petition states that Kaya is entitled to the assets that form part of her mother’s California probate estate.

Panettiere’s estate has reportedly been valued at around $6 million, although its final value and distribution will be determined through the probate process.

Panettiere died on August 16 at the age of 36 while staying at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. The Greenville County Coroner determined that her death was accidental and resulted from the toxic effects of multiple substances, including fentanyl.

Klitschko’s filing says there’s currently no personal representative in place to protect Panettiere’s estate. He argues that the situation requires immediate action because some of the actress’s belongings could potentially be lost, damaged or improperly taken before an administrator is formally appointed.

Klitschko raises concerns about missing belongings

The petition also details security concerns involving Panettiere’s California property. According to the documents, Panettiere and Klitschko had previously hired a security service after an unidentified person allegedly gained unauthorized access to her home.

Following her death, the security company reportedly changed the locks. Storage units containing designer clothing and accessories worn by Panettiere at public appearances were also moved as a precaution, according to the filing.

Klitschko further claims that some of Panettiere’s personal possessions, including jewelry, have disappeared or remain unaccounted for. Other belongings are reportedly in the custody of law enforcement in connection with the investigation into her death.

The former boxer also alleges that federal agents entered Panettiere’s residence and removed property belonging to her estate. The petition says having temporary guardianship would give him the legal authority to initiate probate proceedings and nominate a proposed administrator who could formally oversee the estate.

Panettiere and Klitschko began their relationship in 2009 and welcomed Kaya in December 2014. Their relationship continued on and off for several years before ending in 2018.

That same year, Panettiere transferred custody of Kaya to Klitschko while she was dealing with postpartum depression and addiction. Klitschko subsequently raised their daughter in Ukraine.

Despite living apart, Panettiere continued to speak about her relationship with Kaya . In a 2026 podcast appearance, she described their bond as intense and incredible and rejected suggestions that she had abandoned her daughter.

Following Panettiere’s death, Klitschko publicly remembered her as an important part of his life and the mother of Kaya . He said he would continue speaking about her with respect so their daughter could remember her mother.