Siblings Battle Over £600k Inheritance as Brother Claims Care Sacrifice
A bitter family dispute over a £600,000 inheritance has erupted in court, pitting two successful siblings against their brother who claims he gave up a promising career to care for their elderly parents. Robert Chung, 62, is fighting his sister Marina Bennett, 60, and brother Richard Chung, 58, for ownership of the family home in South Woodford, Essex, which is now valued at approximately £400,000.
Claims of Sacrifice Versus Allegations of Parasitism
Robert Chung moved back into his parents' three-bedroom detached home over twenty years ago and remained there until their deaths. He asserts that he abandoned a "well-paid" position in the film industry during his thirties to provide care for his father Victor, who had cancer, and later his mother Irene Chung until her passing in 2016. According to Robert, both parents promised him the house in return for his dedication, leading him to work at a Job Centre for more than two decades instead of pursuing his career ambitions.
However, his siblings present a starkly different narrative. Marina Bennett, a senior accountant who worked in the United States and Canada, and Richard Chung, an IT manager based in London, describe their brother as a "disappointment" and a "financial drain" on their parents. They argue that Robert never properly cared for their mother and instead relied on her for cooking and cleaning while he "lounged around watching movies non-stop."
Divergent Accounts of Care and Career
During proceedings at Central London County Court, barrister Faisel Sadiq, representing Marina and Richard, challenged Robert's claims. He stated that their parents had always encouraged self-reliance and that Robert's return home was a disappointment. Sadiq emphasized that Victor Chung's cancer diagnosis did not occur until 1992, contradicting Robert's assertion that he moved back in 1990 specifically to provide care.
Robert, representing himself, maintained that he acted to his detriment by leaving his film industry job, which he clarified included work at Blockbuster video shop along with writing promotional copy and merchandising for movies. He testified, "I didn't want to end up working in a Job Centre, but that's what I did for 22 years. That's a choice I made for my parents."
Emotional Testimonies and Accusations
Marina Bennett provided emotional evidence, recalling a visit in 2016 where she found her mother had lost significant weight, accusing Robert of failure in his care duties. She labeled him a "pathological liar" with a "grandiose view" of himself, suggesting that if promises about the house existed, Robert would have secured them in writing. Marina stated, "Mum and dad wanted you to live on your own and have your own house. They would have supported you in that respect, but everything I have seen so far doesn't support a promise that you would have the house."
Robert countered that his siblings' testimonies were biased due to financial interests, as they stand to benefit if the estate is divided three ways. He highlighted hostile language in their statements, including terms like "parasite" and "fundamentally lazy," and argued that they lacked direct knowledge of the alleged promises made within the family home.
Legal Stakes and Pending Decision
The case arose after Irene Chung died intestate, meaning her estate, including the house, is subject to equal division among her three children. A professional administrator of the estate has initiated possession proceedings to evict Robert, sell the property, and distribute the proceeds. Additionally, the administrator is seeking nearly £200,000 in rent from Robert for the period he has remained in the house since his mother's death.
Robert is defending against the eviction while counterclaiming for ownership based on the purported promises from his parents. After a week of hearings, Recorder Lawrence McDonald has reserved judgment, leaving the family's fate in limbo. This dispute underscores deep-seated familial conflicts and the complex interplay between caregiving responsibilities and inheritance expectations.
