The widow of a former high-flying corporate lawyer is locked in a legal dispute with his ex-wife over claims that £434,000 from his estate was misappropriated. Bartholomew Gold, 43, a former partner at City law firm Field Fisher, died in December 2020 without leaving a will. His estate, including a £2 million beachside home in Hampshire, is subject to intestacy laws, which would split it between his widow, Phikul Harte, and a teenage son from his previous marriage to Marsha Gomez.
The dispute arose after £434,134 from the sale of Mr Gold's house was mistakenly paid into Mrs Gomez's account in early 2024. Mrs Harte alleges that Mrs Gomez dissipated the funds on speculative investments, gifts to third parties, and double glazing, and has sought a freezing injunction to prevent further dissipation. A High Court judge last year ordered Mrs Gomez to repay the money, but she has failed to do so.
At a hearing in Central London County Court, Mrs Harte's barrister, Emma Germany, argued that Mrs Gomez dissipated significant amounts after being notified of the claim, including £38,877 on mortgage repayments, £35,724 on credit card and loan bills, and £34,308 on sundries such as new double-glazed windows. Mrs Gomez admitted receiving the money and investing £275,000 in shares in her son's name, with the remaining £160,000 spent, gifted, or used for legal fees. She insists she intends to settle the debt but acknowledges the funds are not readily available.
Judge Alan Johns KC is considering whether to extend the freezing injunction, which currently bars Mrs Gomez from dealing with certain assets. The case highlights the complexities of intestacy and the risks of misdirected estate funds.
