Legal disputes have arisen over the will of renowned bag designer Chris Liu, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 47 after battling cancer. His partner, Tibor Matyas, is contesting the distribution of Liu’s £1 million-plus estate, which includes a £500,000 flat left to Matyas. Matyas claims he was financially dependent on Liu and is now seeking maintenance payments from the estate.

Matyas, 49, and Liu co-founded the fashion label Chris and Tibor in 2005 after working together as design consultants for Burberry. Following Liu’s death, Matyas inherited a jointly owned London apartment and a share in another London flat. However, he asserts that he requires ongoing financial support from the estate due to his financial struggles and the care responsibilities of his dog.

The dispute involves Matyas, Liu’s family in China, and the estate administrator, Peter Daniel. Matyas alleges that most of the funds used for property acquisitions came from him and Liu jointly, despite Liu’s family’s claims to the contrary. Matyas is seeking a ruling for “reasonable financial provision” from the estate to cover his living expenses and ongoing debts.

Matyas also argues that the properties owned by Liu in Dalston, East London should be shared equally based on a “constructive trust,” as he claims they lived together as a committed couple and shared finances. He states that Liu’s family pressured them to keep the properties solely in Liu’s name due to concerns about their relationship.

The case is now awaiting a ruling from the court, with significant legal costs and expenses potentially impacting the final distribution of Liu’s estate.