A year after actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner passed away, a family legal dispute has broken out between his widow, Tenisha, and his mother, Pamela.

According to court documents, Tenisha is taking Pamela Warner to court over the family trust. She claims Pamela isn’t honoring the financial terms set out in her and Malcolm’s May 2022 prenuptial agreement.

Beloved star, Malcolm-Jamal Warner died on July 20, 2025, after drowning while on vacation in Costa Rica. He was 54 years old.

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In the lawsuit, Tenisha claims Malcolm agreed to maintain a $1 million life insurance policy naming her as the sole beneficiary. She also alleges the agreement included annual tax-free payments of $16,000, regular contributions to a Roth IRA, and a $5,000 monthly salary for her work as his chief of staff and assistant.

According to the filing, Tenisha says she’s owed about $1.28 million—a figure that includes unpaid salary, missed annual payouts, retirement funds, and a life insurance policy that was never funded.

Tenisha says Malcolm’s estate doesn’t have enough money to cover what she’s owed, so she’s asking the court to let her get paid out of the family trust instead. On top of that, she wants interest, legal fees, and a freeze on the trust’s money until the judge sorts everything out.

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Pamela Warner Denies Trying To Block Granddaughters Money

Pamela Warner has responded and pushed back against allegations raised by Tenisha.

“Recent claims that Pamela sought to prevent her granddaughter from receiving financial support are untrue,” she said.

Pamela acknowledged the trust was divided among herself, Malcolm’s father and his sister, but said his wife and daughter were separately provided for with millions. She also described Malcolm as ‘deliberate and thoughtful’ in his estate planning to include all his loved ones.

Warner also shared that she has reached an agreement with the guardians representing Malcolm’s daughter over money from his trust and estate.

The deal still needs court approval, and Malcolm’s widow, Tenisha Warner, was not involved, according to Pamela, who said she remains “hopeful that all parties will support the resolution.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner died in July 2025 after an accidental drowning while vacationing in Costa Rica. The legal dispute comes one year after his passing.

Pamela Warner Denies Trying To Block Granddaughters Money

Pamela Warner has responded and pushed back against allegations raised by Tenisha.

“Recent claims that Pamela sought to prevent her granddaughter from receiving financial support are untrue,” she said.

Pamela acknowledged the trust was divided among herself, Malcolm’s father and his sister, but said his wife and daughter were separately provided for with millions. She also described Malcolm as ‘deliberate and thoughtful’ in his estate planning to include all his loved ones.

Warner also shared that she has reached an agreement with the guardians representing Malcolm’s daughter over money from his trust and estate.

As of now, the deal still needs court approval, and Malcolm’s widow, Tenisha Warner, was not involved, according to Pamela, who said she remains “hopeful that all parties will support the resolution.”