Two women who both married the same man are currently embroiled in a legal battle over his vast fortune. Margaret Dinsdale, a beautician, found herself in this unfortunate situation after her late partner, 55-year-old James Dinsdale, passed away in October 2020. It was then revealed that he was still legally married to his first wife, Dr. Victoria Fowell, leading to a complex legal dispute over his £1.8 million ($2.4 million) inheritance.
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According to reports, James married Margaret in Las Vegas in 2017, completely unaware that he was still married to Fowell since their wedding in 2012. This revelation meant that Margaret’s marriage to James was deemed void, and legally she had no automatic claim to his fortune, leaving Fowell as the rightful heir to the substantial sum.
Margaret has taken the matter to court, accusing Fowell of essentially taking control of James’ inheritance and acting as if she is the sole heir to the estate. Seeking justice, Margaret has requested a freezing order after a judge formally recognized her rights as a “spouse” in July, highlighting the complex nature of the legal battle surrounding the inheritance laws in the UK.
The absence of a will from James further complicated the situation, resulting in his money being divided between Fowell and his 28-year-old son, William Dinsdale, as per intestacy rules. Margaret is pushing for her fair share, aiming for at least half of the £1.8 million fortune left by her late partner, as reported by The Independent.
The timeline of Margaret and James’ relationship started back in 2008, with the couple entering a romantic relationship in 2014 and eventually deciding to share a home together in 2015. Their marriage in Las Vegas in 2017 cemented their bond, despite the legal entanglements presenting themselves with the revelation of James’ prior marriage to Fowell at the Little White Wedding Chapel.
Margaret’s legal representative, Jonathan Davey KC, emphasized that she entered into the marriage with James in good faith, believing that his previous marriage to Fowell had ended before their relationship began. Davey also speculated on James’ state of mind regarding his marital status, suggesting that he may not have realized he was still legally married to Fowell.
The grave accusations against Fowell include allegations of already spending a significant portion of the inheritance and selling off properties left by James, valued at a total of £600,000. A judge involved in the case has highlighted the unclear whereabouts of the remaining money inherited by Fowell, adding further complexity to the legal proceedings.
As the legal battle unfolds, both parties involved, Fowell and Margaret, have chosen not to comment when approached by PEOPLE for their response to the ongoing situation. Margaret’s consultant solicitor, Mohaned Salah, expressed the complexities surrounding the case and the toll it has taken on Margaret, reaffirming their commitment to seeking justice and ensuring a fair outcome for Margaret in this tumultuous battle over her late partner’s fortune.