Warner family dispute over late actor's estate and Studio City home

Tenisha Warner has filed a lawsuit claiming that her late husband, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, intended to leave their daughter, MacKenzie, and herself the family’s California residence, but that his mother, Pamela Warner, sold the property and deposited the proceeds into the family trust. The Studio City home, which records show was sold in May 2026 for $1.6 million, was described by Tenisha as the place where MacKenzie formed core memories of her father.

In the filing, Tenisha disputes Pamela Warner’s assertion that she declined to settle the estate dispute, stating that she refused to "capitulate to unfair pressure and tactics." She also notes that Pamela offered a home in Georgia, which carries a $700,000 mortgage, but argues it does not replace the need for estate funds to support MacKenzie.

Tenisha further alleges that Pamela stopped using estate funds to cover her monthly expenses and emphasizes that she paused her own career to care for MacKenzie and support Malcolm’s career during his life, asserting that Malcolm intended to provide for her.

The conflict began after Tenisha sued to have MacKenzie added to the trust. Subsequently, Pamela Warner reached a settlement with MacKenzie’s court-appointed guardian, which is expected to provide the child with a multi-million-dollar benefit.