Particle.news
Download on the App Store

High Court Backs Widow Jennifer Scott in Inheritance Fight Over 'Car Boot King' Estate

The judge found the 2016 wills reflected Richard Scott's character, not cognitive decline.

Overview

  • Mr Justice Richards dismissed Adam Scott's capacity and proprietary estoppel claims, keeping Jennifer Scott in control of the estate.
  • He accepted Richard Scott had frontotemporal dementia but ruled the 2016 decision to cut Adam out was personality-driven, not the result of disease.
  • The promise-based claim failed because Adam knew since at least 2003 that his father was retracting earlier promises and he suffered no detriment.
  • The land was valued at about £7 million for probate, while Jennifer has asserted offers and development potential could put the figure near £43 million.
  • The court also rejected Jennifer's bid to fold Adam’s long-term tenancies back into the estate, as her legal team highlighted property gifts to him exceeding £10 million.