A man is currently entangled in a legal battle over a £600,000 inheritance after being labeled a “parasite” by his siblings for allegedly “lounging around watching movies non-stop” while his elderly mother cared for him. Robert Chung, aged 62, moved back into his parents’ Essex residence over three decades ago, remaining there until both his father and mother passed away. He contended that the house was pledged to him as he relinquished a lucrative career in the film industry to provide care for his parents when he was in his 30s, working at a Job Centre for more than 20 years while tending to his father, Victor, and his mother, Irene Chung, until her demise in 2016.

Tensions arose when Robert’s accomplished siblings, senior accountant Marina Bennett, 60, and IT manager Richard Chung, 58, insisted that the house and the rest of the estate should be divided equally among the three of them. They criticized Robert as a “disappointment” and a financial burden on their parents, asserting that their mother primarily attended to Robert by preparing his meals and doing his laundry as her health deteriorated.

During the court proceedings at Central London County Court, barrister Faisel Sadiq, representing Robert’s siblings, emphasized their parents’ emphasis on instilling self-reliance in their children. While Marina and Richard pursued successful careers abroad, Robert’s siblings viewed him as falling short of expectations. Robert countered, stating that he returned home in 1990 at the request of his parents to care for them.

Disputes ensued over whether promises were made regarding the house, with Robert contending that his parents assured him of ownership, although a will favoring him was not executed before his mother’s passing. As the estate was to be divided equally among the siblings, a legal battle ensued, with Robert defending his right to the house based on alleged promises made by his parents.

After a week-long court session, Recorder McDonald deferred his decision on the matter. The professional estate administrator is seeking a ruling for Robert to vacate the house for its sale and the subsequent distribution of proceeds. Additionally, the administrator is pursuing nearly £200,000 in rent from Robert for the period he remained in the house following his mother’s demise.