Ledger Family Feuding Over Actor's Estate
March 19, 2008

It appears that the untimely death of actor Heath Ledger has led to a family feud between Ledger's father, Kim, and his brothers Mike and Haydn, uncles of the later actor, over the handling of Heath's estate. Reports suggest that the Mike and Haydn Ledger have asserted that Kim Ledger had allegedly mishandled their grandfather's finances back in 1986 and both are looking to stave off similar mismanagement of Heath Ledger's estate for the sake of his daughter. According to E! Online, "The brothers Ledger, who have been estranged from Kim for 15 years and who were persona non grata at Heath's hometown memorial, first aired their dirty laundry over the weekend in Australia's Sunday Times." The report goes on the say that Ledger's uncles decided to speak publicly now instead of taking the focus away from the actor's life and legacy in the weeks following his death.

As People reports, it appears Kim Ledger mishandled their grandfather's estate so badly in 1986 that he was removed as executor of the estate. As many reports now indicate, it appears that Michelle Williams' father Larry has also entered the picture to voice his concern in an effort to protect Williams' and Ledger's daughter Matilda. As People reveals, Ledger's uncle Mike shares the same concern, "Our only vested interest is to assure that Matilda is well looked after."

As the tension simmers underneath the surface, it appears the family feud has been brewing for years, as Kim and the brothers Ledger have been estranged for the past 15 years. Although Heath Ledger was obviously loved by his family, Mike Ledger did reveal that the rift kept him away from seeing his nephew for one last time, "I'm his godfather... We didn't even have the ability or the opportunity to pay our last respects to Heath. And I tell you, that is terrible - that is so sad."

To set the record straight, however, Mike and Haydn Ledger went to great lengths to assure the public that their recent actions weren't born out of a desire to take a cut of Heath's fortune, as they revealed to the Sunday Times and other publications. At the time of his death, Heath Ledger's will stated that his assets and everything would go to his parents and sister. As E! reveals, some of the complexities are due to the fact that Heath's will was "drafted prior to his coupling with Williams and the birth of their daughter."

On Tuesday, January 22, 2008, the sudden death of 28 year old Australian born actor Heath Ledger came out of nowhere, leaving a legion of loyal fans stunned beyond belief and the Hollywood community shocked beyond words. Sadly, out of nowhere, Ledger was found dead in his Lower Manhattan apartment due to accidental overdose of prescribed medication.

More Heath Ledger on The Deadbolt:

In His Own Words: A Tribute to Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger Found Dead in NYC