A federal court has blocked Wendy Williams’ ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, from intervening in her ongoing guardianship dispute, dismissing his lawsuit that sought to act on her behalf.
In June, Hunter filed a complaint in federal court seeking to be named Wendy Williams’ “next friend,” a legal status that would allow him to step in for her in court proceedings. His petition claimed the current guardianship had become a tool of “abuse, neglect, and fraud,” and requested $250 million in damages.
A judge has now declined to grant Hunter permission to intervene, ruling that he lacks standing to file the suit in Williams’ name. The court’s decision forces Hunter to refile any future claims strictly in his own name, rather than as a surrogate for Williams.
Background & Context
Williams has been under court-appointed guardianship since 2022 following concerns about her capacity and financial management. In 2023, medical evaluations confirmed diagnoses of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, conditions that her legal team cites as reasons she needs a guardian.
Hunter’s lawsuit named over 40 defendants, including Williams’ guardian, the presiding judge in her guardianship matter, her assisted living facility, and Wells Fargo, which previously froze her bank accounts amid concerns of financial exploitation.
Williams and her attorney publicly disavowed Hunter’s filing, stating she had no knowledge of it and did not authorize him to act on her behalf. In statements, her counsel asserted Hunter “has no standing to add her name” and “no authority from Wendy whatsoever.”
Reaction & Next Steps
Upon learning of the ruling, Williams expressed relief that the suit was dismissed. Legal analysts suggest that Hunter may refile his claims in a more limited capacity, but doing so without asserting rights on Williams’ behalf will significantly limit his influence in the case.
Meanwhile, the guardianship remains in place, with Sabrina Morrissey serving as Williams’ court-appointed guardian. The ruling reinforces judicial caution when third parties attempt to assert surrogate standing in guardianship disputes.
As the legal battle continues, much attention will rest on whether Williams’ team will seek to challenge or terminate the guardianship through other legal avenues.
