Tibor Matyas, the partner of late fashion designer Chris Liu, is taking legal action to claim additional financial provision from Liu's £1 million estate. Matyas, 49, says he is entitled to regular maintenance payments because he was financially dependent on Liu and now struggles to work, partly due to caring for his dog.
Liu, who designed bags for men and counted Kylie Minogue among his clients, died of cancer in 2017 at age 47. His estate includes a property portfolio in Dalston, east London. Matyas received a jointly owned flat worth £470,000 and a 25% share of another property, with the remainder going to Liu's family in China.
At the High Court, Matyas argued under the 1975 Inheritance Act that he needs 'reasonable provision' from the estate. He told Deputy Judge Andrew Scott that he cannot find suitable employment, saying: 'The only employment I can find is low-end and would be full-time, which would take up all my time.' He also cited £3,800 annual costs for his dog's care.
Matyas and Liu ran the label Chris and Tibor from 2005 and both worked as design consultants for Burberry. Matyas is also pursuing an alternative claim that the Dalston properties should be shared equally under a 'constructive trust', despite being in Liu's sole name.
The administrator of the estate, Peter Daniel, opposes the claim, as does Liu's family, who argue that most of the money for the properties came from them. The hearing continues.
