Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner files $1.2 million trust lawsuit

Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner files $1.2 million trust lawsuit

Tenisha Warner filed a lawsuit in Georgia against her late husband's mother, alleging that the revocable Warner Family Trust must pay over $1. 2 million promised under a premarital contract. Earlier reports said she accused the mother-in-law of breaching the agreement, seeking a hold on trust assets and noting that the 1996 trust largely benefits the actor's mother.

In a later interview, Warner discussed coping with her husband's drowning in Costa Rica a year after his death. The lawsuit, first reported by Rolling Stone and ABC News, claims the trust was established in 1996 and left most of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's estate to his mother, excluding provisions for Warner and their daughter. Warner's legal action seeks to enforce the premarital obligations she says were promised but not delivered.

Actors

Tenisha Warner Malcolm-Jamal Warner Pamela Warner Warner Family Trust DeKalb County Superior Court DeKalb County Probate Court

Locations

DeKalb County, Georgia, United States Costa Rica

Articles

July 25, 2026
1 total
Widow sues mother over revocable family trust, citing prenuptial agreement
Widow sues mother over revocable family trust, citing prenuptial agreement

USA Today • 25 Jul 09:06

Tenisha Warner has filed a lawsuit against her late husband's mother, claiming the revocable Warner Family Trust should pay more than $1.2 million promised in a premarital contract.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
July 23, 2026
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Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner Opens Up About Grief One Year After His Death
Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner Opens Up About Grief One Year After His Death

CBS News • 23 Jul 12:24

Tenisha Warner discussed coping with her husband's drowning in Costa Rica, her ongoing grief and a new storytelling kit for families, during an interview with CBS Mornings.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
July 22, 2026
4 total
Warner widow sues mother-in-law over $1.2 million trust claim
Warner widow sues mother-in-law over $1.2 million trust claim

The New York Times • 22 Jul 18:34

Tenisha Delilah Warner has filed a lawsuit in Georgia seeking at least $1.2 million from a family trust, alleging breach of a premarital agreement with the late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner files lawsuit against mother-in-law over trust
Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner files lawsuit against mother-in-law over trust

CBS News • 22 Jul 12:08

Tenisha Warner, the widow of the late actor, has sued his mother, the trust's successor trustee, seeking more than $1.2 million while discussing her grief and responsibilities as a single mother.

Credibility 68% Manip. 12% Center
Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner Files Lawsuit Over 1996 Trust
Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner Files Lawsuit Over 1996 Trust

USA Today • 22 Jul 02:45

Tenisha Warner has sued her late husband's mother, alleging that a 1996 family trust leaves most of the actor's estate to his mother and excludes provisions for Warner and their daughter.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Widow sues mother-in-law over $1.2 million estate claim
Widow sues mother-in-law over $1.2 million estate claim

ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • 22 Jul 01:49

Tenisha Delilah Warner has filed a lawsuit in Georgia seeking more than $1.2 million she says is owed under a premarital agreement, naming her mother-in-law as trustee of the family trust.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
July 21, 2026
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Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner Sues Mother-in-Law Over Prenuptial Obligations
Widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner Sues Mother-in-Law Over Prenuptial Obligations

Rolling Stone • 21 Jul 21:40

Dr. Tenisha Warner has filed a lawsuit in Georgia seeking more than $1.2 million from her mother-in-law, alleging unpaid benefits under a prenuptial agreement and requesting a hold on trust assets.

Credibility 73% Manip. 12% Center
Widow sues Malcolm-Jamal Warner's mother over alleged breach of prenuptial agreement
Widow sues Malcolm-Jamal Warner's mother over alleged breach of prenuptial agreement

AJC.com • 21 Jul 09:42

Tenisha Warner has filed a lawsuit in DeKalb County seeking more than $1.2 million from the Warner Family Trust, claiming the late actor did not fulfill obligations outlined in their 2022 premarital contract.

Credibility 72% Manip. 7% Center