Matilda Ledger's Money Matters to Remain Private

Judge agrees to seal records related to life insurance settlement paid over to Heath Ledger's daughter

Matilda Ledger already has an Oscar coming her way. Now she's got something even better—privacy.

A Los Angeles judge has agreed to keep sealed details of the settlement the 3-year-old's trust made last month with the life insurance company that finally paid out its policy on Heath Ledger.

"She is not a celebrity," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Luis A. Lavin said of Ledger's daughter with Michelle Williams. "She is a minor child."

Lavin agreed to lawyers' requests that details of the settlement remain confidential, adding that Matilda had "a right to privacy."

Last month, the Minnesota-based ReliaStar Life Insurance Co. agreed to make good on the $10 million life insurance policy the posthumous Oscar winner took out seven months before his 2008 death. For the better part of the past year, the company had refused to shell out, suggesting the actor committed suicide, thereby voiding his policy, despite the coroner's ruling that Ledger's death was accidental.

Yesterday, however, the insurance company had a change of heart, with ReliaStar attorney Margaret Levy saying they were happy that the settlement had been reached "amicably" and that they supported Matilda's right to privacy.

"We think it's great that she will be protected," Levy said.

Another hearing in the case has been set for March 13.