Yoga Teacher Engaged in £5 Million Inheritance Dispute with Late Husband's Brother
Gabriela Teixeira, a 41-year-old yoga instructor and birth doula originally from Brazil, is embroiled in a contentious High Court battle over a £5 million inheritance from her deceased husband. She alleges that her brother-in-law, Amir Moaven, orchestrated a scheme to deprive her and her two children of their rightful share of the estate.
Marriage and Family Life in London's Elite Neighbourhoods
Teixeira married wealthy London property investor and restaurateur Abbas Moaven in 2002, after they first met at his Notting Hill restaurant in 2000. The couple had two children, Elis and Aryan, and resided in several high-end properties across prestigious London areas including Holland Park and Kensington. Their lifestyle reflected Abbas's success in business ventures spanning mobile phones, restaurants, and property investments.
Sudden Shock Following Husband's Death
Abbas Moaven was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and passed away in May 2012 at age 45. According to his last will, his estate was to be divided equally among his widow and their two children. However, Teixeira was stunned to discover that the estate might be worthless due to legal documents signed by Abbas just weeks before his death.
These documents declared that four properties, valued at over £3 million at the time, were not solely owned by Abbas but were shared with his mother and brother, Amir Moaven. This arrangement "substantially diminished" the estate, potentially leaving it insolvent after accounting for other debts.
Allegations of a "Sham" to Prevent Inheritance
Teixeira's legal team, led by barrister Alexander Learmonth KC, argues that the property transfers were a "sham" designed to defeat any claims she or her children might make against the estate. They point to lawyers' notes from meetings with Amir Moaven, which reveal concerns that Teixeira might "disappear to Brazil" with the children after Abbas's death.
One note stated: "His concern was what would happen if Abbas passed away and his wife disappeared with the two children to Brazil. How could they prevent this, and how could they prevent her from having access to the funds from the property assets?" Another note added that Amir's main intention was "to secure Abbas’ children’s welfare because he was certain that any assets passed over to Abbas’ wife would be dissipated."
Learmonth contends that these notes "establish clearly that, if the declarations of trust were really intended to have any legal effect at all, then they were entered into with the clear aim of defeating a claim by Gabriela and/or her children against the estate." He asserts that Abbas never intended to change the legal ownership but merely sought to ward off potential claims.
Brother-in-Law's Defence of Legitimate Arrangements
Amir Moaven, now 55, maintains that the declarations of trust were legitimate and merely formalised a long-standing agreement. He claims the properties were always intended to be owned in equal shares by himself, his brother, and their mother, with assets pooled from their joint business ventures over the years.
His barrister, Lydia Pemberton, described the dispute as a "very bitter family dispute" but insisted the documents were "the written manifestation of the long-standing agreement." She argued that Teixeira's allegations amount to an accusation that her late husband lied to "defraud and/or control her" from beyond the grave, which she cannot prove.
Pemberton stated: "No doubt the claimants are deeply disappointed that Abbas’ wealth and the estate is not what they expected, but disappointment does not make a valid claim." She emphasised that the claimants have not met the high evidential burden required to prove sham or dishonesty.
Impact on Teixeira's Life and Career
Gabriela Teixeira, who works as a doula and yoga teacher, describes her profession as a "call to serve" after the birth of her first child. She supports families during childbirth, focusing on empowering mothers and respecting each family's unique needs. However, she now struggles financially, unable to sustain the lifestyle she enjoyed during her marriage.
Learmonth told the court: "She is unable to sustain the lifestyle she enjoyed during Abbas’ lifetime, while he was still well, on her income working as a doula." The prolonged legal battle has left Teixeira and her children, now adults, waiting over 14 years for a resolution and their inheritance.
Properties at the Heart of the Dispute
The four contested properties include former family homes in Queen's Gate, Holland Park, and Brasenose House in Kensington, as well as a rental property in Maida Hill. Teixeira's legal team argues that these properties were house-hunted and lived in by her and Abbas without any indication that Amir or their mother had an interest.
Learmonth highlighted inconsistencies, noting that other high-end properties in Kensington are held solely in Amir's name, contradicting his claim that assets were always shared. He also pointed out the lack of evidence showing financial contributions from Amir or their mother to the contested properties.
Family Background and Business Ventures
Abbas and Amir Moaven moved to the UK from Iran in 1982 to live with their father. They started a clothing shop called Homeboy in west London before entering the mobile phone market in the mid-1990s. Later, they expanded into restaurants and property investments, accumulating a portfolio around London.
Teixeira and Abbas met at his restaurant, The Gate, near Notting Hill Gate Station, and began dating. She moved into the flat he shared with Amir in Queen's Gate, Kensington, in 2001. Teixeira testified that Abbas never indicated the flat was not entirely his property.
Current Status and Awaiting Judgment
The brothers' mother, Nazemi Tehran, passed away in 2023. Her will leaves half of her estate to Amir and a quarter each to Elis and Aryan. Following a week-long trial before Deputy Master Timothy Bowles, the judgment has been reserved for a later date.
Teixeira and her children continue to seek the restoration of the properties to Abbas's estate, which they estimate could be worth up to £5 million after debts are paid. The outcome will determine whether they receive their full inheritance or if Amir's defence of legitimate shared ownership prevails.
