Two women are embroiled in a legal battle over a £1.8 million inheritance left by a millionaire they both unknowingly married in Las Vegas. The court revealed that the entire fortune of James Dinsdale, a wealthy accountant and WWII history expert who passed away at 55 in October 2020, may have been depleted.
The dispute involves Margaret Dinsdale and Dr. Victoria Fowell, who separately married Dinsdale in Las Vegas ceremonies five years apart. Margaret, a beautician, found out after his death that Dinsdale was still legally married to Dr. Fowell when they wed in 2017, rendering their marriage invalid and her without automatic inheritance rights.
The legal tussle arose when Margaret discovered that Dinsdale, who had not divorced Dr. Fowell since their 2012 marriage, left no will. The assets, valued at £1.8 million, were initially set to be split between Dr. Fowell and Dinsdale’s son under intestacy laws, until a court ruling favored Margaret last year.
However, the dispute escalated when accusations of mismanaging the estate flew between the women, leading to Dr. Fowell stepping down as the estate executor. Recent court proceedings highlighted that the property values were inflated, with most properties in poor condition or occupied by squatters, resulting in a potential negative value for the estate.
Despite both women lacking savings, the ongoing legal battle continues to strain their finances. Dr. Fowell had to borrow from her parents to cover legal fees, while Margaret may pursue legal action to recover funds allegedly taken by Dr. Fowell from the estate. The court ruled to remove Dr. Fowell as executor and imposed a charging order against her home due to outstanding costs.
The full trial for Margaret Dinsdale’s claim for financial contribution from the estate is scheduled for the following year.
