A daughter described as “greedy and entitled” has been ordered by the High Court to repay £2.6 million from her elderly mother’s estate. Sandra Thomas, along with her husband, Philip Thomas, allegedly misused over £1 million of her mother’s funds for personal expenses, including luxurious holidays and extravagant meals. The court ruled that they unduly influenced the mother into transferring properties worth around £1.6 million to them. Despite the inheritance largely favoring Sandra and Philip, the judge upheld the will and ordered them to return the misused money and properties to the estate.
The family’s wealth originated from the father’s substantial real estate business, with properties in west London generating significant profits. The brother, Gary, contested the will, claiming his mother lacked mental capacity due to dementia when she signed it. He also accused Sandra and Philip of misappropriating over £1 million from their mother’s accounts for personal use, including expensive dining and a lavish wedding.
Although Sandra and Philip admitted overspending the mother’s money, they argued it was an advance on their inheritance and done in line with what they believed their mother wanted. The court found that the 2011 will was not influenced by undue pressure or mental incapacity. Gary will now receive a share of the estate, including a holiday home and flats valued at about £1.6 million. The final estate value is yet to be determined, but Sandra and Philip will still receive a larger portion than Gary from the upheld will.