Daughter and step mother locked in bitter will dispute

A daughter who was left nothing in her late father’s £1million will is battling her stepmother over the fortune.

Danielle Ames told the Court she ‘idolised’ her father, Michael Ames, that he was her ‘best friend’ and that he ‘doted’ on her as his only child. However, she was shocked when her father, who ran a glazing business, died in 2013 and left his entire fortune to Danielle’s step-mother, Elaine Ames.

The daughter is now trying to convince a Judge that she is due £300,000 as ‘reasonable provision’ from her father’s estate.

However, her stepmother is arguing that her late husband deliberately cut his daughter out, as he had a strong work ethic and believed grown-up children should ‘look after themselves.’ She told the Judge that he had given the daughter financial support to set up her own picture framing business and therefore the will makes reasonable financial provision for all parties.

The daughter and her family currently have a monthly deficit of over £2,000 and she is struggling to make ends meet. She also has debts of £10,000.

However, the stepmother said that Ms Ames is a grown up, ‘fit and able to work’ and ought to stand on her own two feet.

She told the Judge that her husband had promised her that his money would be used to look after her in her old age. She detailed a ‘list of ailments’ she is afflicted with.

The bulk of Mr Ames’ assets are tied up in the four-bedroom £650,000 family home in Hoddesdon, where Mrs Ames still lives. She says she would be forced to sell the home she has lived in for 13 years, if ordered to satisfy Ms Ames’ claim.

Urging both women to put their animosity aside, Judge Halpern told them their personal feelings about each other were of little relevance to the case.

As at September 2016, the hearing continues.

Disputes can be very complex and require expert legal guidance to resolve matters as fairly as possible. At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your behalf to make this difficult time a little easier, whether you are bringing a claim or you are on the receiving end. We are experienced in this field and have won complex cases for our clients. As it is an emotional time we deal with our cases sensitively ensuring that all of our clients are happy with each stage of the process and the outcome of proceedings.

If you are looking for will dispute advice do not hesitate to contact us. Call 0161 624 6811 to speak to to Shalish Mehta, in our civil and commercial litigation department or email sm@wrigleyclaydon.com.

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Shalish Mehta

Shalish is an experienced dispute resolution solicitor who joined the firm in 2002 ago upon qualifying as a solicitor and provides a proactive approach whilst retaining the personal touch to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case. He acts on behalf of both private individuals and commercial clients. He can assist and advise at any stage of a dispute including mediation through to court action and injunctions. Shalish is a keen sportsman, regularly playing cricket and five-a-side football and also watching live sport. He enjoys city breaks and takes great pleasure in sampling different cuisines from around the world. Shalish is fluent in Gujarati and will happily represent those for whom Guajarati is the first language, in English. He is also happy to offer his services as a translator to our clients as necessary. What clients say about Shalish: “We feel the service was perfect and found our solicitor, Shalish Mehta, very professional and helpful in all aspects”