ANGRY sisters left with just £50 of their grandfather’s £500,000 are set to suffer another heavy blow.
Frederick Ward Sr.’s five grandchildren were stunned to hear how small their inheritance was.
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After learning they were almost disinherited, the five grandchildren, including Carol Gowing pictured, sued Credit: Champion News
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Fred Snr split almost all his money between his children Terry Ward, pictured, and Susan WiltshireCredit: Champion News
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The sisters claimed their uncle Terry and aunt Susan, pictured, had ‘too much influence’ on their grandfather Credit: Champion News
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Frederick Ward Snr left his grandchildren just £50 each of his £500,000 fortune
It came after the former soldier was “disappointed” that his relatives did not visit him enough.
The court heard Fred Sr’s children said there was evidence “the family didn’t care about him”.
It’s not about the money. She believes her girls fought for what their dad would have wanted and what their grandfather originally promised
A source close to Fred Jnr’s widow
He was particularly upset after not being told about his great-granddaughter’s wedding, according to his daughter Susan Wiltshire.
He complained that he had not been sent even a piece of the wedding cake, the court was told.
The “disturbed” and “strong-willed” patriarch kicked out his late son, Fred Jnr’s daughter, and left most of his fortune to living children Terry Ward and Susan.
She saw Carol Gowing, Angela St Marseille, Amanda Higginbotham, Christine Ward and Janet Pett hand over envelopes with a paltry £50.
BITTER BATTLE
The furious sisters launched a legal attack on their uncle and aunt – suing them for a third of their late grandfather’s fortune.
They accused Terry and Susan of “unduly influencing” Frederick Sr. to change his will.
The quintet claimed their grandfather’s last will was invalid because he was a “sick man” and “scared” of Terry who “forced” him to make it.
They also accused their aunt Susan of exerting “undue influence” on Fred Snr.
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In the latest development, the tough five are now £220,000 short after losing their case.
High Court judge Master James Brightwell ordered them to pay the costs of the proceedings and concluded that it was “entirely rational” for a “disappointed” grandfather to cut his grandchildren.
A FRESH BLOW
Now they are saddled with their own legal fees, as well as their uncles and aunts.
In a twisted argument, the sister’s lawyer argued that the money should be taken from Frederick Sr.’s inheritance and accused their uncle of “proactive” behavior.
The judge concluded: “Hearing the will read, tempers were high on both sides from the outset and the die was cast for a bitter argument from the outset.”
But Mrs Gowing and her sisters were ordered to fork out £100,000 up front for a total legal defense bill estimated at £136,470, with VAT to be added later.
Despite Fred’s promise a few years ago to divide his estate between his children’s children should anything happen to any of them, the 2018 will was, in my opinion, perfectly rational
High Court Judge Master James Brightwell
This is in addition to their own legal costs of £85,688.50.
It came after a judge found that “the evidence does not come close to convincing me” that Terry “coerced” his father or that Susan “controlled” him by challenging his will.
Fred Ward senior is described as an “independent and strong-willed” ex-serviceman, cable splicer and social club regular who lived in Willow Road, South Ealing, London.
Unfortunately, he died at the age of 91 in 2020.
His will, which included a maisonette worth £450,000, was originally to be divided between his three children, Fred Jr, Terry and Susan.
However, Fred Jr – father of five sisters – died in 2015 and the family fell out leading to a loss of contact.
‘TURNING IN HIS GRAVE’
Meanwhile, according to a source, Fred Jr’s widow, Ann Ward, said she had “no doubt” her late husband would be furious about his daughters’ £50 inheritance.
“Ann is very clear. If her late husband was still alive, he would be absolutely furious that his daughters were being disinherited like this,” a source told MailOnline.
“He would be turning in his grave, she has no doubts about that.
“It’s not about money. She believes her girls fought for what their dad would have wanted and what their grandfather had originally promised.
Ward Family Tree
Grandfather – Frederick Ward Snr
Children – Terry Ward, Susan Wiltshire and Fred Jr (died 2015)
Grandchildren (Fred Jr.’s five daughters) – Carol Gowing, Angela St Marseille, Amanda Higginbotham, Christine Ward and Janet Pett
“There are many serious questions that can be raised about the judge’s decision. Ann believes that some key evidence does not appear to have been fully considered.”
The court heard from the sisters’ lawyers that uncle Terry “hated” his niece Carol Gowing after the property sparked a row.
There was a “palpable hatred between the two sides of the family”, the court heard.
‘COMPLETELY RATIONAL’
In his conclusion, the high court judge said: “In the circumstances, and despite Fred’s promise some years ago to divide his estate between his children’s children should anything happen to any of them, the 2018 will was in my view entirely rational. .
“That’s not to say I can’t understand the applicants’ disappointment because they’ve essentially been left out.
“Some might take the view that, as a general proposition, when a testator’s child predeceased him, he should generally leave an equal share of his residue to that child’s posterity.
“However, the decision not to do so and to divide the remainder and thus the bulk of the estate among his surviving children can hardly be said to be a provision that no reasonable testator could make.”
What is the inheritance tax threshold and how does it work?
Here’s everything you need to know about inheritance tax – including the threshold value.
Inheritance tax is a tax on the assets – property, money and assets – of a person who has died.
There is usually no inheritance tax payable if the value of your estate is below the £325,000 threshold.
You can also avoid paying tax if you leave anything above the threshold to your spouse, civil partner, charity or community amateur sports club.
If the value of your estate is below the £325,000 threshold, you will still need to report it to HMRC.
If you give your home to your children – including adopted, foster or step-children – or grandchildren when you die, your inheritance tax threshold can rise to £500,000.
This is called a “principal residence” band.
If you are married or in a civil partnership and your assets are worth less than the threshold, any unused threshold can be added to your partner when you die.
This means their threshold can be as high as £1 million.
The standard rate of inheritance tax is 40 per cent – but it is only charged on the part of your estate that is above the threshold.
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Frederick Ward Snr left his grandchildren just £50 each of his £500,000 fortune Credit: Champion News
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However, their case was dismissed. Pictured is granddaughter Angela St MarseilleCredit: Supplied by Champion News
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Amanda Higginbotham outside the High Court in London Credit: Champion News
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The quintet claimed they should get one-third of their late father. Pictured: Christine Ward Credit: Supplied by Champion News
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Fred Jr – father of five sisters – predeceased his father in 2015. Pictured: Janet Pett Credit: Supplied by Champion News
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Source: HIS Education