A £1.8 million estate was left in dispute after a London property developer married two women in Las Vegas five years apart without divorcing his first wife; the legal battle began after his death
An accountant and property developer died, leaving an estate valued at around £1.8 million, but two women claimed to be his wife after he married them in Las Vegas five years apart. James Dinsdale married dentist Victoria Fowell in 2012 and beautician Margaret Dinsdale in 2017. He had not divorced his first wife before the second ceremony, making the later marriage void.
Dinsdale died from cancer in October 2020, aged 55, without leaving a will. His estate was due to pass to Fowell and his son under intestacy rules. According to the Independent, Margaret asked the High Court to recognise her as a spouse for an inheritance claim and award her a share of the estate.
James Dinsdale married two women in Las Vegas without divorcing
Dinsdale married Dr Victoria Fowell, a cosmetic dentist based in St Albans, at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas in June 2012. The couple did not divorce. Five years later, he married Margaret at the Chapel of the Flowers on the same street, about 600 metres from the first venue.
Margaret’s barrister told the court that she and Dinsdale had met in 2008 and become friends before starting a romantic relationship in 2014. They moved in together the following year. He told the court she did not know he remained married to Fowell and only discovered the earlier marriage after his death. Her barrister said she believed Dinsdale was divorced when they married.
Margaret sought a share of James Dinsdale's £1.8 million estate
Dinsdale died in October 2020, aged 55, after cancer. He had built a property development business based around central London and left no will. Under intestacy rules, his estate was due to be shared by Fowell and his adult son, William Dinsdale. Margaret brought a claim under the Inheritance Act 1975 , seeking reasonable financial provision from the estate. Her claim was for at least half of the £1.8 million fortune. She argued that she should be treated as a spouse because she had married Dinsdale in good faith, believing he was no longer married to Fowell. Her claim was against Fowell and Dinsdale's son William.
High Court recognised Margaret as a spouse for her inheritance claim
At a preliminary High Court hearing, Margaret's barrister Jonathan Davey KC said she had been Dinsdale’s primary carer during his final illness and had looked after him around the clock. The court heard that they had been together for six years and planned to have children. He said, "She and James had a relatively lavish lifestyle, which was funded by his wealth and she was entirely financially dependent on the deceased.”
“Dr Fowell and William Dinsdale were not being financially maintained by the deceased at the time of his death."
Master James Brightwell was told it was not disputed that Margaret should be considered a spouse under the 1975 Act. He made a declaration to that effect for the purposes of her claim.
Further hearing to decide how James Dinsdale's estate is divided
The declaration did not decide how much Margaret would receive. Master Brightwell directed that a further hearing should consider how the estate would be divided between Margaret, Fowell and William. The court also heard differing accounts of money Margaret had already received. It was alleged that she had received £375,000 from the estate or sums derived from Dinsdale.
Her barrister disputed that figure, saying she had received only £20,000 from his pension. The judge allocated Margaret £50,000 from the estate to help meet her bills and legal costs while the case continued. Her projected legal costs were estimated at about £175,000 overall.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available court proceedings and media reports. The Times of India has not independently verified the details of the marriages, financial arrangements, or inheritance claims. The information reflects the statements and legal proceedings reported in the case.
Dinsdale died from cancer in October 2020, aged 55, without leaving a will. His estate was due to pass to Fowell and his son under intestacy rules. According to the Independent, Margaret asked the High Court to recognise her as a spouse for an inheritance claim and award her a share of the estate.
James Dinsdale married two women in Las Vegas without divorcing
Dinsdale married Dr Victoria Fowell, a cosmetic dentist based in St Albans, at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas in June 2012. The couple did not divorce. Five years later, he married Margaret at the Chapel of the Flowers on the same street, about 600 metres from the first venue.
Margaret’s barrister told the court that she and Dinsdale had met in 2008 and become friends before starting a romantic relationship in 2014. They moved in together the following year. He told the court she did not know he remained married to Fowell and only discovered the earlier marriage after his death. Her barrister said she believed Dinsdale was divorced when they married.
Margaret sought a share of James Dinsdale's £1.8 million estate
Dinsdale died in October 2020, aged 55, after cancer. He had built a property development business based around central London and left no will. Under intestacy rules, his estate was due to be shared by Fowell and his adult son, William Dinsdale. Margaret brought a claim under the Inheritance Act 1975 , seeking reasonable financial provision from the estate. Her claim was for at least half of the £1.8 million fortune. She argued that she should be treated as a spouse because she had married Dinsdale in good faith, believing he was no longer married to Fowell. Her claim was against Fowell and Dinsdale's son William.
High Court recognised Margaret as a spouse for her inheritance claim
At a preliminary High Court hearing, Margaret's barrister Jonathan Davey KC said she had been Dinsdale’s primary carer during his final illness and had looked after him around the clock. The court heard that they had been together for six years and planned to have children. He said, "She and James had a relatively lavish lifestyle, which was funded by his wealth and she was entirely financially dependent on the deceased.”
“Dr Fowell and William Dinsdale were not being financially maintained by the deceased at the time of his death."
Master James Brightwell was told it was not disputed that Margaret should be considered a spouse under the 1975 Act. He made a declaration to that effect for the purposes of her claim.
Further hearing to decide how James Dinsdale's estate is divided
Her barrister disputed that figure, saying she had received only £20,000 from his pension. The judge allocated Margaret £50,000 from the estate to help meet her bills and legal costs while the case continued. Her projected legal costs were estimated at about £175,000 overall.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available court proceedings and media reports. The Times of India has not independently verified the details of the marriages, financial arrangements, or inheritance claims. The information reflects the statements and legal proceedings reported in the case.
Next Story