Proposed $35M Settlement in Epstein Estate Class Action (Ward v. Indyke)

A proposed $35 million class action settlement has been filed in the case of Ward v. Indyke, targeting the co-executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. The settlement would compensate women who were sexually abused or trafficked by Epstein between 1995 and 2019 and who have not already received payments from prior compensation programs.

Settlement Amount: Up to $35 Million | Case: Ward v. Indyke, No. 24-cv-01204 (S.D.N.Y.) | Status: Pending Court Approval

What Is This Lawsuit About?

The class action was filed in 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It accuses Epstein’s longtime personal lawyer Darren Indyke and his accountant Richard Kahn — who serve as co-executors of the Epstein estate — of aiding and abetting Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.

According to the complaint, Indyke and Kahn helped Epstein create a web of shell corporations and bank accounts that allowed him to conceal his abuse, pay victims and recruiters, and maintain his trafficking network. Neither defendant is accused of personally committing abuse, but the lawsuit alleges they were aware of and facilitated the operation while being “richly compensated” for their work.

How Much Is the Settlement Worth?

The proposed settlement is structured in two tiers:

Up to $35 million if 40 or more women qualify as eligible class members
$25 million if fewer than 40 women are deemed eligible

Plaintiffs’ attorneys at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP estimate that at least 40 women will qualify, putting the settlement at the higher $35 million figure.

Who Is Eligible?

Women who were sexually abused or trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein between 1995 and August 10, 2019 (the date of Epstein’s death in federal custody) may be eligible. However, women who already received settlements from the Epstein estate or through the earlier Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program (EVCP) are not eligible for this settlement.

By accepting payment under this settlement, eligible class members would agree to release any future claims against the estate.

How Did the Settlement Come About?

Settlement negotiations began in October 2025 through a court-appointed mediator. The parties reached an agreement on December 19, 2025, and the proposed settlement was filed with the court on February 19, 2026.

The defendants have not admitted any wrongdoing. Their attorney, Daniel H. Weiner, stated that neither Indyke nor Kahn “made any admission or concession of misconduct” as part of the agreement.

What Court Is Overseeing the Case?

The case is before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in the Southern District of New York (Manhattan). Judge Subramanian also presided over the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs.

Can I File a Claim Now?

No. The settlement has not yet been approved by the court. A claims process will be established after the judge grants preliminary approval. At that point, eligible class members will be notified and given instructions on how to submit a claim.

No official settlement website has been created yet for this case. The earlier Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program (epsteinvcp.com) is a separate, closed program and is no longer accepting claims.

What Happens Next?

The settlement must go through the standard class action approval process:

Preliminary approval — The judge reviews the settlement terms and decides whether to allow the process to move forward
Notice period — Eligible class members are notified of the settlement and their right to opt out or object
Claims window — A deadline is set for eligible women to submit claims
Fairness hearing — The court holds a hearing to determine whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate
Final approval and distribution — If approved, payments are distributed to eligible claimants

No timeline has been announced for these steps. We will update this page as the case progresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ward v. Indyke case?

It is a class action lawsuit filed against the co-executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, accusing them of helping Epstein carry out sex trafficking by managing his finances and corporate structures. A proposed settlement of up to $35 million has been filed with the court.

Who are Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn?

Indyke is Epstein’s former personal attorney and Kahn is his former accountant. They were named co-executors of his estate after his death in August 2019. The lawsuit alleges they facilitated his trafficking operation through financial and corporate management.

Am I eligible if I already received money from the Epstein estate?

No. Women who previously received settlements from the Epstein estate or the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program (EVCP) are excluded from this settlement class.

Is there a deadline to file a claim?

No deadline has been set yet. The claims process will be established after the court grants preliminary approval of the settlement.

Read the Epstein Estate settlement coverage on OpenClassActions.com.

By Steve Levine | Published: February 26, 2026

Note: OpenClassActions.org is a news site providing public information about class action lawsuits and settlements. We are not a law firm, class action administrator, or legal counsel. No claim form is currently available for this case.