Hayden Panettiere’s 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, made a remote court appearance alongside her father, Wladimir Klitschko, on Thursday to confirm her identity during a hearing concerning guardianship of her late mother’s estate, as reported by People. Panettiere died in August at age 36 from an accidental overdose.
The Bottom Line
- Kaya appeared remotely in a white T-shirt and spoke calmly to the judge to confirm her identity and presence with her father.
- Wladimir Klitschko was granted temporary guardianship of Panettiere’s estate to begin probate proceedings.
- Klitschko’s legal team also requested authority for law enforcement to investigate potential misappropriation of Panettiere’s belongings.
Court Appearance and Temporary Guardianship Granted
During the Thursday hearing, Kaya appeared briefly on camera wearing a white T-shirt with her hair pulled back. According to People, she was “soft-spoken and composed” while answering the judge’s questions about her identity and whether she was with her father.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, the judge granted Klitschko temporary guardianship over Panettiere’s estate. The court also noted that Kaya does not need to be present for the next scheduled hearing on Dec. 7, People reported.
| Event Detail | Fact / Status |
|---|---|
| Date of Hearing | Thursday, October 8, 2026 |
| Next Hearing Date | December 7, 2026 |
| Heir to Estate | Kaya Klitschko (Sole Beneficiary) |
| Legal Status | Temporary Guardianship Granted to Wladimir Klitschko |
Investigation Into Misappropriated Property
Beyond the initial guardianship request, Klitschko’s attorney, Diane Y. Park, directed the court’s attention to additional powers requested by the former heavyweight champion. Klitschko asked for the authority to request and authorize law enforcement to investigate the recovery of property believed to have been misappropriated by a non-family member, People reported.
The filing indicated that the pawn shop involved declined to provide details regarding the items without law enforcement involvement, raising concerns that the possessions might be sold to third parties.
Estate Management and Family Background
Klitschko filed for temporary guardianship in September, noting in court documents that Kaya lives with him in Ukraine and “is entitled to the entirety” of her mother’s assets. He argued that immediate appointment was essential so he could receive, manage, and hold the assets on Kaya’s behalf as the sole beneficiary, preventing any estate property from being lost, damaged, or dissipated.
Panettiere and Klitschko began dating in 2009, got engaged in 2013, and welcomed Kaya in December 2014. After breaking off their engagement in 2018, Klitschko was awarded full custody of their daughter that same year. In her May 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere wrote candidly about the difficult decision to grant Klitschko full custody, describing it as the most gut-wrenching experience of her life.
