James Campbell, the only son of his late mother Sarah who was told by his late mother ‘it’s all yours’ is defeding a High Court claim for over half of his inheritance of £725,000 by his mother’s last boyfriend, Andrew Banfield.
James Campbell also claims that this mother’s will, drawn up 14 years before her death in 2015, handed most of her estate – including the keys to his childhood home – to him.
Mr Banfield says he and Mrs Campbell lived as ‘husband and wife’ for more than 20 years before her death and he needs a payout from her estate to buy his own home.
However, Mr Campbell says Mr Banfield has plenty of money of his own and denies the relationship between his mother and Mr Banfield was as close as he says.
The court heard that all agree that Mr Banfield’s relationship with Mrs Campbell began in the early 1990s after the death of Mr Campbell’s father.
Mr Banfield claims to have moved into her Thames Ditton home in 1993 and that they became engaged in 1999.
From then until her death, they lived as a couple, with her partially maintaining him in her home.
But Mr Campbell denies there was ever an engagement and says Mr Banfield did not move in until 2002.
Mr Campbell argued that Mr Banfield is not entitled to anything from the estate, beyond a £5,000 gift which Mrs Campbell left him in her will and that he does not need it anyway, as he has money and an income of his own with which to buy or rent a property.
The court heard Mr Banfield claims he needs at least £420,000 to buy a suitable property in the village. The hearing continues.
Wills and Probate 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 your case sensitively.
If you are looking for dispute advice please contact us. Call 0161 624 6811 (Option 6) to speak to Shalish Mehta, in our civil and commercial litigation department or email sm@wrigleyclaydon.com.
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