A daughter accused of squandering her mother’s wealth on extravagant luxuries like lavish vacations and fine dining, as well as funding a lavish wedding for her daughter, has been instructed by a High Court to repay £2.6 million following a legal dispute with her brother.
Sandra Thomas, aged 65, is set to inherit a substantial multi-million pound sum despite allegations that her late mother, Jeanne MacDougall, was not of sound mind when she excluded her son Gary, 70, from her final will. The court found that Sandra and her husband, Philip Thomas, had inappropriately utilized over £1 million of Jeanne’s funds for personal expenses, treating her accounts as their own personal bank.
Moreover, the couple was found to have exerted undue influence on the elderly woman to transfer three properties, including a family vacation home, now valued at approximately £1.6 million. While the judge upheld Jeanne’s will, primarily favoring Sandra and Philip, it was decreed that they must reimburse the estate for the misused funds and properties, totaling around £2.6 million, with half of the amount now rightfully belonging to Gary.
The court emphasized the extensive and systematic misuse of Jeanne’s assets by Sandra and Philip, stating that they had shown no consideration for Jeanne’s needs, treating her accounts as their own personal resources. The family fortune, stemming from the siblings’ father’s real estate investments, was highlighted during the trial, outlining the substantial profits generated from property development in west London.
Gary contended that the will was invalid due to Jeanne’s diminished independence and mental capacity, caused by dementia, at the time of signing. He also alleged that his sister and brother-in-law had misappropriated over £1 million from their mother’s accounts for personal expenses, including luxurious outings and a lavish wedding.
While Sandra and Philip admitted to overstepping their powers under a lasting power of attorney, claiming their actions were an anticipation of their inheritance, the court ruled that their conduct had significantly reduced the estate’s value. The judgment confirmed the validity of Jeanne’s 2011 will, granting Sandra and Philip ownership of Jeanne’s properties, while also stipulating reparations to the estate for the funds misused.
The court directed the couple to account for their expenditures to determine the compensation owed to the estate, to be shared with Gary. The total estate value, estimated to be in the multimillion-pound range, is yet to be finalized, with Sandra and Philip set to receive a substantial sum exceeding Gary’s inheritance under the upheld will.