Legal Battle Erupts Over Missing £434,000 from Deceased Lawyer's Estate
The two wives of a deceased lawyer are embroiled in a bitter court fight over allegations that one of them misappropriated £434,000 from his estate. Bartholomew Gold, a 43-year-old former rising star at City law firm Field Fisher, died in December 2020 without a will, leaving behind his Thai widow, Phikul Harte, and his ex-wife, Marsha Gomez.
Intestacy Laws and Estate Distribution
Under the laws of intestacy, Gold's estate, estimated at around £800,000 after expenses, was to be split between his widow and his teenage son from his previous marriage to Gomez, an Airbnb hostess. As the widow, Harte was entitled to receive £322,000, with the remainder shared with the son. However, the dispute ignited when £434,134 from the sale of Gold's seven-bedroom seafront home in Langstone, Hampshire—marketed at £2 million—was mistakenly paid to Gomez in early 2024.
Allegations of Misappropriation and Dissipation
Harte claims that Gomez dissipated and misappropriated the funds, spending them on speculative investments, gifts to third parties, and new double-glazed windows. Last year, Deputy Master John Linwood of the High Court ruled that the sale proceeds belonged to Gold's estate and ordered Gomez to repay £447,427 with interest. After she failed to comply, Harte launched a lawsuit to freeze Gomez's assets, arguing there is a risk of further dissipation before the money can be recovered.
Court Proceedings and Defense Arguments
In a recent hearing at Central London County Court, barrister Emma Germany, representing Harte, detailed how Gomez spent significant amounts in June 2024, including £38,877 on mortgage repayments, £35,724 on credit card and loan bills, and £34,308 on sundries like double-glazing and living expenses. Gomez admitted receiving the funds and losing £275,000 in a failed investment, with the remaining £160,000 spent on gifts, legal fees, and other expenses. She stated the money is not readily available for repayment but expressed intent to settle the debt.
Injunction Bid and Judicial Decision
Gomez's barrister, Suleman Shams, opposed the asset freeze, calling it unnecessary and disproportionate, and highlighted her ability to pay from a lucrative property portfolio. After a day in court, Judge Alan Johns KC reserved his decision on whether to continue the freezing injunction, leaving the legal battle unresolved as both sides await a final ruling.
