A 70-year-old man, Gary MacDougall, has been left out of his late mother’s £5 million fortune following revelations about his marital infidelity, a court has heard.
Gary had expected the estate of his mother, Jeanne MacDougall, to be shared equally between him, his sister Sandra Thomas, 65, and her husband, Lloyd “Philip” Thomas. However, after Jeanne revised her will in 2011 and made several property sales and financial gifts before her death in April 2020, Gary says he was left with virtually nothing.
He has now taken legal action against his sister and brother-in-law at the High Court, alleging they misappropriated £1.685 million of their mother’s money while she was still alive.
According to court proceedings, Gary denied suggestions that his affair led to his disinheritance. He told the judge that although his mother was aware of the brief relationship, she was not angry with him.
“She wasn’t happy, no – she was delighted when it concluded,” he said. “She reminded me of my responsibilities, but it was a very brief fling. If she had been cross with me, mum would’ve let me know. She would’ve given me both barrels.”
Lawyers representing Mrs Thomas argued that Jeanne, being from an older generation, may have been disappointed by Gary’s behaviour. They also maintained that she was mentally capable of making her own decisions regarding her estate and had valid reasons for revising her will in 2011, particularly given the support her daughter and son-in-law provided in her later years.
A major point of contention is the Avenue Crescent property, valued at £1.7 million, which was gifted to Mrs Thomas. Gary claims the property had been promised to him and alleges that undue influence was exerted over his mother at a time when she lacked full independence.
In addition, he is seeking recovery of other estate funds he claims were spent by his sister and her husband on holidays, cars, and family celebrations.
The trial is ongoing as the High Court examines allegations of undue influence and considers the validity of the disputed will.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
