John Ryan flips script on Cathy Chase’s claim to Daveigh Chase’s estate

On August 27, former business manager John Ryan filed paperwork with the Los Angeles Superior Court objecting to Cathy Chase’s petition to serve as administrator of the late actress’s $400,000 estate.

The filing, which cites court documents obtained Thursday, positions Ryan on the side of Daveigh’s father, John Schwallier.

Ryan’s objection hinges on a claim that Daveigh sought legal emancipation from her mother in the mid‑2000s because she believed Cathy was exploiting her finances and threatening her well‑being. , Ryan assisted Daveigh by introducing her to professionals who could help with the emancipation process.

The dispute emerges after Daveigh Chase died at age 35 in June of this year. She had reportedly battled meningitis and a blood infection that led to sepsis, with her boyfriend Roy Hernandez confirming the circumstances in an interview with.

Her death was later confirmed to be caused by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) alongside chronic polysubstance use and other significant conditions.

## Background & Context

Daveigh Chase’s parents divorced when she was a minor, creating a long‑standing rift between her and both parents. Ryan describes the estrangement as a factor that led Daveigh to seek emancipation, a claim he supports in his court filings.

The estate dispute centers on control of the actress’s remaining assets, which include unpaid management fees owed to Ryan and residuals from her film work. Schwallier has requested appointment as administrator or for the court to appoint a neutral third party, .

Cathy Chase argues that she has always been involved in managing Daveigh’s finances and has acted as a trustee without taking money for the role. Her lawyer emphasizes that a parent who voluntarily doubled statutory protection for a child’s earnings and served without pay is not one the court needs to displace in favor of a paid stranger.

## What People Are Saying

In his objection filing, Ryan states: “I am aware from my conversations with Daveigh that in the mid‑2000s, she filed for legal emancipation from her mother.” He further claims that Daveigh told him “she wanted to take this action because she believed that her mother was taking advantage of Daveigh’s finances and putting Daveigh’s physical and mental well‑being at risk.” Cathy Chase counters in documents dated August 19, asserting that she “does not concede that [her daughter] ever filed for or obtained a declaration of emancipation.” She notes that she was never served with notice or a consent form and calls the claim “entirely unsupported.” She adds that even if an emancipation order existed, it would establish nothing about her present fitness to administer the estate.

Schwallier’s attorney, in an August 17 filing, requested that the court deny Cathy’s petition and approve his nomination or hire a neutral party.

He acknowledged that Daveigh was estranged from both parents and was “living on the streets of Los Angeles.” The attorney also alleged a lack of competency and that Daveigh had filed for emancipation due to alleged financial irregularities by her mother.

## What Happens Next

The case will be heard by the court, which must decide whether Cathy’s petition to administer the estate should be granted or whether Schwallier’s nomination or a neutral third party will be appointed. The court’s decision will also determine how unpaid management fees and residuals are distributed.

Ryan has indicated that he is owed fees for work performed prior to Daveigh’s death and on residuals after her death, which may factor into the court’s assessment of the estate’s assets.

Both parents have filed objections and counter‑objections in the past month, and their attorneys have argued for the removal of the other from a managerial role. The final ruling will resolve whether Daveigh’s financial affairs are handled by a family member or an independent party.

In the meantime, family members remain divided over how to honor Daveigh Chase’s legacy while navigating the legal complexities that have surfaced since her passing.