Two women who were both married to a bigamous millionaire in Las Vegas are embroiled in a legal battle over his £1.8 million fortune, which may no longer exist. James Dinsdale, a wealthy accountant and WWII history expert, passed away at 55, leaving behind a complex estate.

Margaret Dinsdale and Dr. Victoria Fowell, who married James in separate ceremonies in Las Vegas, are at odds over the inheritance. Margaret, James’ most recent partner, was shocked to discover he was still legally married to Dr. Fowell when he married her, rendering their marriage void in the eyes of the law.

The dispute escalated as both women claimed rights to James’ estate under different circumstances. The estate, initially valued at £1.8 million, is now believed to have a negative value due to alleged mismanagement. The court battle intensified as accusations of depleting the estate were exchanged between the parties.

James, known for his property development business in London and Hertfordshire, had a complicated marital history, having married Dr. Fowell in 2012 before marrying Margaret in 2017. The tangled web of marriages and lack of a will has led to a legal quagmire over the distribution of assets.

Despite legal recognition of Margaret as a spouse, the estate’s value has dwindled, with properties sold below their worth and allegations of misappropriation of funds. Both women are struggling financially to sustain the legal dispute, with Dr. Fowell resorting to borrowing from her parents for legal fees.

The court has ruled to remove Dr. Fowell as executor and imposed financial constraints on her due to past failures to meet legal obligations. The ongoing legal battle is set to continue, with a full trial on Ms. Dinsdale’s claim for financial contribution from the estate scheduled for the following year.