Anju Patel is facing a legal bill of over £400,000 after losing a High Court battle over her father's will. The dispute arose after Laxmikant Patel, who died aged 85 in October 2021, left almost his entire £600,000 estate to Anju in his final will, while leaving his other daughter, Bhavenetta Stewart-Brown, and son, Piyush Patel, just £250 each.
Bhavenetta challenged the August 2021 will, arguing that it was made under suspicious circumstances when her father was terminally ill and in hospital under Covid restrictions. Deputy Master Jason Raeburn upheld a 2019 will that divided the estate roughly equally among the three siblings, ruling that the 2021 will was 'highly suspicious'.
As a result, Anju not only lost the bulk of her inheritance but was also ordered to pay her sister's legal costs. Lawyers estimate the bill could exceed £400,000, on top of her own undisclosed costs. The executor of the 2021 will, Vijaykant Patel, was also made jointly liable for Bhavenetta's costs.
The court heard that Laxmikant had described Bhavenetta as 'bad tempered' and accused her of taking 'massive advantage' of him, while calling Anju 'the only light in his life'. However, Bhavenetta's legal team argued that Anju had isolated and controlled her father, particularly in his final days.
Anju's share under the 2019 will—approximately £250,000—will be wiped out by her own legal costs. The case highlights the financial risks of contesting wills and the importance of clear testamentary intentions.
