Two women, both married to a bigamous millionaire in Las Vegas, are embroiled in a legal battle over his £1.8m fortune. However, it has been revealed that the estate of James Dinsdale, a wealthy accountant and WWII history expert who passed away at 55 in October 2020, may have been depleted entirely.
The dispute arose between Margaret Dinsdale and Dr. Victoria Fowell, who married James in separate Las Vegas ceremonies five years apart. Margaret, a beautician who discovered James was still legally married to Dr. Fowell when they wed in 2017, found herself in a precarious situation with no automatic inheritance rights.
The conflict intensified after it was disclosed that James never finalized his divorce with Dr. Fowell, making her the legal heir to his £1.8m estate under intestacy laws. Margaret, unaware of his previous marriage, had assumed she would inherit his wealth as his spouse.
Following a court ruling recognizing Margaret’s rights as a spouse, she is now pursuing a claim under the Inheritance Act. However, the situation took a turn when the estate’s value was questioned, with suggestions that it could now be worth less than zero.
The estate, which includes 17 properties primarily in London and Hertfordshire, was initially estimated at £1.8m. Both women have been accused of depleting the assets, with Dr. Fowell relinquishing her role as executor amidst allegations of mismanagement.
Legal representatives for both parties have exchanged accusations regarding the handling of the estate’s funds. Dr. Fowell’s barrister revealed that the true property value was significantly lower than initially reported, with some properties in poor condition or occupied by squatters.
As the legal battle continues, financial complications have arisen, with allegations of asset dissipation and financial irresponsibility. Both Margaret and Dr. Fowell are struggling to finance the dispute, with the trial for financial contribution from the estate set for the following year.
Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, the judge has ruled to remove Dr. Fowell as executor and imposed a charging order against her property due to outstanding costs. The situation remains complex, with the full trial yet to take place.
