Hayden Panettiere's family backing Wladimir Klitschko's bid for legal guardianship of their daughter's estate

Hayden Panettiere's family are backing Wladimir Klitschko's bid for legal guardianship of their daughter's estate.

The former boxer's legal team made an "urgent and essential" appeal to the courts earlier this week in order to ensure he is eligible to file a probate petition for Hayden's estate on behalf of 11 year old Kaya following the Heroes actress' passing at the age of 36 last month.

Sources close to the family are supportive of the move because they believe the 50-year-old star - who has had full custody of the youngster since 2018 - is a devoted father who has Kaya and Hayden's best interests at heart, and they see the move as just a legal formality.

The insider added: "Wlad is a great father and we are grateful."

Insiders also believe the former heavyweight champion filed for guardianship because he lives outside of the US and it was the best way to ensure he can protect his daughter's interests there.

Court documents filed on 24 September and obtained by E! News stated: “Without an immediate appointment for these purposes, there is a high probability that property belonging to Hayden's Estate may be lost, damaged or dissipated before a duly appointed personal representative can be in place to protect it.

“This directly and adversely affects Kaya, as she is the sole heir entitled to the entirety of Hayden's probate estate.”