Daughter Sues Father’s Estate After She Received £250 And Her Sister Received £600,000
In July 2025, a complex inheritance battle captured national attention. The case centres around the will of Laxmikant Patel, who died in 2022, leaving behind three children and a sharply disputed legacy. His daughter Bhavenetta Stewart-Brown has taken her sister, Anju Patel, to court after being left just £250 in a will that awarded the entire family home, worth over £600,000, to Anju.
The case has become a revealing example of how wills can be challenged, and what people can do to protect their wishes from similar disputes*.
What Happened in the Case?
Laxmikant Patel had written multiple wills in his lifetime. His most recent will, which was signed in August 2021, was executed whilst he was gravely ill in hospital with lung cancer and dependent on oxygen. This final will dramatically changed the distribution of his estate. Instead of dividing his property among his three children (as in earlier wills), it awarded nearly everything, including the family home, to his eldest daughter Anju. His younger daughter Bhavenetta and his son Piyush received a nominal £250 each.
Bhavenetta has contested the will in court, making several serious allegations:
- Lack of mental capacity: She claims her father, who was weak and in and out of hospital, was not of sound mind when he gave instructions for the will.
- Lack of understanding: The will was written in English, a language her father reportedly did not speak fluently.
- Undue influence: She argues that Anju and a family associate, Vijaykant Patel, may have manipulated Laxmikant during a vulnerable period, notably while he was alone in hospital.
Anju has firmly denied the accusations, arguing that her father knew what he was doing and was justified in cutting out Bhavenetta and Piyush. She told the court that her brother “failed in his duties” as executor of an earlier will, and that Bhavenetta “took massive advantage” of their father by living in the family home rent-free and asking him for money.
The case is now before the High Court and hinges on whether the 2021 will can be upheld as valid.
@phoenixsolicitors In this video, we explain the case of Bhavenetta who has taken her sister Anju to court after being left just £250 in a will that awarded the entire family home worth over £600,000 to Anju.
How Can a Will Be Challenged?
Challenging a will is possible under grounds, such as:
1. Lack of Testamentary Capacity
A person making a will must understand:
- That they are making a will and what it means
- What property they own
- Who might usually expect to inherit from them
- Whether their judgment is affected by any disorder of the mind
If someone is gravely ill, like Laxmikant was in 2021, this can form the basis for questioning whether they were mentally capable of making clear decisions. Medical records and expert testimony are often key in proving (or disproving) this.
2. Lack of Knowledge and Approval
Even if a person signs a will, it must be shown that they understood its contents. In Laxmikant’s case, the language barrier may be a major issue. If he wasn’t fluent in English, how well could he comprehend the legal phrasing of the will he was signing?
This is especially problematic if someone else, like Vijaykant, played a significant role in delivering or interpreting the instructions to the will writer.
3. Undue Influence
This can be one of the hardest claims to prove. Undue influence means the testator was coerced or pressured into making a decision they wouldn’t otherwise make. Courts look for patterns of manipulation, isolation, or a sudden and dramatic shift in how an estate is distributed.
In this case, Bhavenetta is likely to argue that her father’s deteriorating health, hospitalisation, and isolation from his other children created a situation ripe for undue influence.
4. Improper Execution
Under the Wills Act 1837, a will must be:
- In writing
- Signed by the testator (or someone else at their direction)
- Witnessed by two people, who must sign it in the testator’s presence
If any of these steps were skipped, particularly in a rushed hospital setting, the will could be deemed invalid.
How Can You Protect a Will From Being Challenged?
If you’re writing or updating a will, especially during a time of illness or family tension, it’s vital to protect your wishes from future disputes. Here’s how:
1. Use a Qualified Solicitor
Challenges to professionally drawn wills are far easier to defend compared to DIY versions. Solicitors know how to record capacity, witness statements, and document the process.
2. Get a Capacity Assessment
If you’re unwell or elderly, a written mental capacity report from your GP or a capacity expert can serve as powerful evidence that you knew what you were doing.
3. Choose Independent Witnesses
Don’t let close friends or family members witness your will. Use independent professionals when possible.
4. Record the Rationale
Leave a signed letter of wishes with your will explaining why you made certain decisions. This can help clarify your intentions to a court if needed.
5. Keep Records of Communication
If you’re disinheriting someone, keep copies of texts, emails, or letters that show your reasoning or attempts at reconciliation.
6. Regularly Update the Will
Revisiting your will every few years, especially after big events like births, deaths, illnesses, or relationship breakdowns, can help demonstrate clarity and intent.
Summary
This case serves as a cautionary tale for anyone making a will and for families navigating end-of-life arrangements. A valid will is more than just a legal document; it’s a final act of clarity, fairness, and intent.
If you’re creating or updating your will:
- Ensure your instructions are clear
- Ensure you have thoroughly considered all of your assets and all possible beneficiaries
- Ensure the process is documented, ideally through a Solicitor
If you’re concerned about your estate, seek legal advice early before a dispute becomes a public family rift.
Our team can guide you through making a Will and ensuring your instructions are clear and documented.
Get in touch with our Will Expert today, by emailing ab@phoenixlegalsolicitors.co.uk or calling 0151 306 3694.
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