Two pensioners are facing homelessness after losing a High Court bid to remain in their late mother's £600,000 home, following a bitter inheritance feud with their sister. David Isaacs, 75, and his sister Ruth had appealed to Judge David Rees KC to allow them to stay in the four-bedroom Croydon property for life, but were told they have no right to live there 'indefinitely'.
The siblings argued they would be unable to find suitable rented accommodation due to their age and lack of income, with David stating they do not even have 'a car to sleep in'. However, the judge ruled that granting their request would deprive their sister Susan Ellis-Cohn of her inheritance. Susan, who lives in California, had already fought David's claim for a share of the estate.
The dispute dates back to 2013 when Sybil Isaacs died aged 89. She had excluded David from her will, reportedly over fears he would lose his inheritance in his divorce. Despite David moving back into the family home in 2011 to care for his mother alongside Ruth, Sybil never reinstated him. After her death, Susan initiated proceedings to administer the estate, leading David to make a claim under the 1975 Inheritance Act.
In 2025, David was awarded approximately £150,000 as 'reasonable provision' from the £600,000 estate, with Susan and Ruth splitting the remainder. But the siblings' separate application to remain in the house was dismissed last week. Judge Rees noted that David and Ruth had provided care to their mother in her final years, but said their relationship with Sybil was not sufficient to override the terms of her will.
Susan gave evidence from a nursing home in California, claiming her mother 'disliked' David, but the judge rejected this, stating the decision to exclude him was driven by concerns over his marriage. David suffers from multiple health conditions including osteoporosis and arthritis, while Susan is bed-ridden with serious medical issues. The judge described 'significant tension and ill-feeling' between the siblings.
