Beautician from Thailand battles British heirs for £400k inheritance

[RJRS1301]

The ones getting rich from this are the lawyers, by the time it is settled, and if the costs have to come from the estate, they will have very little left

Why haven't they reached a settlement before this?

I watched a family have their inheritance eaten up in legal fees in Australia.

 

I am sure if the woman  had made such a loan there would be supporting documents

 

 

[Kwausie]

For their short time together, I think the old boy could see he had set her up very nicely and happy for the rest to go to the boys, always amazed at the greediness of some Thai ladies, she should be set up for life and should be forever grateful for the opportunity she has been given 

[crazykopite]

Gold digger comes to

mind she should be happy with the villa she has inherited and where did she get 200,000 plus baht to help him !

[Captain Flack]

A reported troll post has been removed.

[Samh]

17 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Exactly. The legal fees are going to eat into the estate.

If she was meant to be taken care of, it would have been stated in the will. Otherwise, she was probably already taken care of. He probably took into account that  she had ownership of the home, contents and any motor vehicles and adjusted his estate accordingly.

True, if she wins. However if she loses then she pays her costs and the other sides costs. I and one of my brothers were left ot of our mother's will. Now we could challenge the will. On the face of it we have no rights what so ever. She was fully entitled to leave the whole lot to the dog's homeif she so chose. We dont have any "right" to inherit. It is a big risk to blow £30,000 plus to attempt to make a claim.

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

she played a crucial role in his emotional landscape

I see. She is a landscaper, mowing his emotional lawn.

[wwest5829]

32 minutes ago, Purdey said:

He built a house in Hua Hin? In whose name?

In her name. Never mind additional funds, the house remains hers.

[wensiensheng]

33 minutes ago, Purdey said:

He built a house in Hua Hin? In whose name?

The article states in her name. And she is entitled to keep it as a “gift”. The argument is over U.K. assets as far as I can make out. She wants a share of those too.

[JackRussell]

1 hour ago, sungod said:

Be happy with the house in Thailand you old hag. I seriously doubt anyone with a head like that is a beautician.

Upload a picture of your head.

[wensiensheng]

1 minute ago, JackRussell said:

Upload a picture of your head.

Why? Is he a beautician?

[goldenbrwn1]

People mugging off his Mrs for her looks is a bit sad tbf. He obviously took a partner of similar age which I fully understand as the older “not so attractive” ones do look after you and are less likely to do your nut in  on TikTok. Plus if you got money you can always get an annoying immature hottie as a little wife for the odd weekender.  Even so her family is  obviously involved now seeing the  $$$$$ signs

[hotchilli]

Be satisfied with the house.. leave well alone.

[sungod]

7 minutes ago, JackRussell said:

Upload a picture of your head.

I'm not a beautician.....

 

But each to their own if you find her attractive.

 

 

[cheerz]

Greed nothing but greed she has already benefitted with a Huahin property beyond 10 million baht she or family wants more.

[Bangel72]

As a layman its hard to see what the legal case is here.

 

If not legally married, Thailand not recognising common law partner if that's the argument or if its a straight forward debt on the estate that would need to be legally recorded otherwise its likely classed as a gift the same as the house he paid for here?

 

Even without a will, fairly sure UK law divides between the kids.

 

Potentially lawyer chancing their arm?

 

Interesting that its even been accepted as a claim by a court, article maybe missing some aspect.

 

The kids right to estate in thailand and any bank accounts here that may have been drained would be interesting?

 

Interesting none the less, as likely impacts many people in similar situations from both sides of the fence.

[SOTIRIOS]

... An Ingrate...(?)

...He Left In 2021...He Left Her A Fortune...God Knows How Much In Total...

...Now Slandering & Sullying Him...

...That His Own 2 Sons Should Receive Nothing Of The Family Heritage...(?)

 

[Samh]

40 minutes ago, Spilornis said:

BTW these claims are made much easier if the deceased had made a will saying I'm not leaving any money to X because of ABC

Yes. When my Thai wife split up with me I immediately changed my UK and Thai wills. The UK solicitor got me to write and sign a statement saying my then still legally married wife was getting nothing. She contributed nothing and did very well while we were together. The gravy train ended when when she split up.

[lovinglife]

That house worth at least THB 8m, + furniture, cars, etc. She should be grateful. I knew Roger but hadn't seen him for more than 10 years. RIP.

[jayboy]

One aspect of this story is intriguing.How exactly did this person  bring an action in the UK courts? In particular who was advising her? Given the size of the estate is rather modest and given the high legal (and travel) costs involved - and potential for having to pay other side's costs,why was it worth pursuing so relentlessly?

[riclag]

Im no expert but the way it usually works in a common law progressive society,woman always win , its etched in precedent and custom.

[Frankie baby]

Theirs no signature on promises, the only one in this case is on the 2006 Will. I don't think she has a dogs chance. 

[Samh]

13 minutes ago, riclag said:

Im no expert but the way it usually works in a common law progressive society,woman always win , its etched in precedent and custom.

Whilst that is true but "In England, entitlement to inherit under a will is determined by the terms of the will itself, meaning the person making the will ("testator") has complete freedom to choose who inherits their estate and in what proportions, as long as it's a valid will; this is known as "testamentary freedom" in English law; if no will exists, inheritance is governed by intestacy rules which typically prioritize spouses and children equally"

She was not a spouse  so she has no rights if a will exists and she is not mentioned in it. She will lose.

[Mises]

Her lawyers are likely on no win no fee but set as a percentage of any payment.  She will have no assets in the UK so security for costs should be ordered.  She will not be able to or willing to pay this so that will be the end of it.

 

Her lawyer will be a chancer who hoped the sons would make a 'nuissance' payment that he would get a good percentage of.  The sons have called her bluff but will be out of pocket for their costs which might well exceed the 'nuissance' payment her lawyer was expecting.

[Bday Prang]

Ah the joys of dying "intestate" and a lesson to be learnt for all   Make a will, or some, possibly all, will suffer     Nothing brings out the worst in people (lawyers included) better than situations like this

[sparky666]

3 hours ago, WHansen said:

Sounds like her family have got involved and can see a bright future as well as a lovely house and a business.

She looks a right old slapper. If he had wanted her to have any more than she got, he would have altered his will accordingly, or married her. As someone else said Beautician my arse, she's got a gob like the back of a cow in action, she's just another money-grabbing slag, No way a Thai would ever lend a Farang B200,000, impossible  Lying bitch

[Zack61]

I won't judge anyone here but this is a clear warning to many of us in a similar situation whereby we have kids and family from a previous marriage and are currently engaged in a marriage with a Thai person. It's a quandary I've often pondered. and I do believe any assets I have purchased, such as property, would be considered in my final distribution as I do want my children to get their fair share. My reasoning for how I distribute will be clearly outlined in my will.

From previous experience, I urge everyone to update and maintain a current will to avoid sh!t fights like this. It will reduce the risk of lawyers getting involved and your wishes being properly satisfied. Don't be afraid to consult and talk to all beneficiaries about your intentions before signing on the dotted line.

This article is an insight into how messy it may get and a warning that the asset will end up in the pockets of the lawyers if not heeded. Remember that it's in their best interest to drag it on so best to try to avoid them.  It reminds me of a lawyer joke.....

 

It's a very, very, very cold day that you find a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets.

 

If a lawyer's advice to you is "You gotta fight this" then it's time to look for another lawyer.

 

[Atlantic Cod]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

by Bob Scott

 

In an explosive legal showdown fit for a soap opera, a beautician from Thailand is taking her former British lover’s sons to the London High Court, demanding her slice of their late father’s £400,000 inheritance.

 

The contentious affair has captivated courtroom observers, as they watch the tug-of-war over promises, property, and pounds unfold in the British High Court.

Kanokporn Nattachai arrived in London from Thailand to square up against Simon and David Burrage, sons of the late Roger Burrage, a British builder who tragically ended his life in January this year at the age of 75.

 

According to Kanokporn, she’s owed nearly £200,000 (8.42 million baht), money she claims is based on promises made by the Surrey widower throughout their intense relationship in Thailand, where they shared a life filled with luxury and allure.

Burrage embarked on a new chapter of his life when he relocated to Thailand, using his construction expertise to build an opulent three-bedroom seaside villa in Hua Hin.

 

The luxurious abode, boasting breathtaking mountain views, sprawling grounds, a delightful outdoor pool, and enough amenities to rival any holiday resort, became the heart of their romance.

 

Picture of the pool villa in Hua Hin courtesy of The Daily Mail

The 40 year old Thai woman, now residing solo in the villa rumoured to be worth anywhere between £100,000 (4.21 million baht) and £240,000 (10.1 million baht), has laid claim to nearly half of her lover’s estate, arguing that she played a crucial role in his business and emotional landscape.

In court documents, Kanokporn detailed her alleged financial entanglement with Burrage, citing a £200,000 loan she purportedly provided to support his business.

 

 

She insists she’s entitled to a share of the builder’s assets, reasoning that the will fails to offer her “adequate financial provision.” Her claim sets the stage for a fierce legal struggle where glitzy romance clashes with complex estate law.

 

However, steadfast in their pursuit of preserving their father’s wishes, Burrage’s sons, Simon and David, reject the legitimacy of Kanokporn’s demands.

 

Their barrister, Lydia Pemberton, acknowledges their father’s generosity during his lifetime, conceding she had received gifts, including the luxurious Hua Hin villa along with support to establish her beauty parlour.

 

They state these gestures fulfil any obligations to her, firmly embracing the view that the British man was never in a position, or inclined, to borrow from Kanokporn.

 

Picture of Burrage and Kanokporn at the luxury villa he built in Hua Hin courtesy of The Daily Mail

Central to the sons’ defence is the assertion that their father, who battled mental health issues, was especially vulnerable in his final years and that his Thai companion exploited this fragility.

 

“The deceased was not maintaining the claimant before his passing,” argues Pemberton, dismantling the picture of a sustained romantic partnership in Burrage’s last months.

 

Instead, she highlights a rift that supposedly materialised when Burrage left Thailand for the UK, a move Kanokporn allegedly tried to counteract by urging his return.

 

Representing Kanokporn, solicitor Manoon Junchai presents an alternative narrative, arguing that the British builder’s promises were entrenched in their emotional bond which spanned from 2016 until his return to Surrey in 2021.

 

He alleges Burrage portrayed their relationship as a budding business partnership tied in with romantic undertones, assuring Kanokporn financial security for their “life together.”

 

Her solicitor further suggests the failure to honour this commitment would be unconscionable, emphasising her contributions to Burrage’s personal and professional life.

 

Picture of Burrage courtesy of The Daily Mail

Despite the interplay of claims and counterclaims about the couple’s financial arrangement, the proceedings reveal a more complex web of interactions and emotions.

 

The Burrage brothers maintain that their father’s last will, drafted in 2006, was clear in its intentions to leave his English estate to them, not her. They portray Kanokporn’s involvement as limited to the receipt of gifts and financial enhancements, refuting her active help in his UK property ventures.

 

Amidst these legal tit-for-tats, the court scrutinises the financial footprints and transactional history of both parties involved. Pemberton casts doubt on the Thai woman’s narrative of lending such a sizable sum, pointing out her financial independence contradicts claims of dependence on Burrage.

 

It is highlighted that any money transferred was linked to properties held in Kanokporn’s name, due to restrictions on foreign ownership in Thailand, rather than being contributions towards Burrage’s UK business dealings, reported The Daily Mail.

 

As legal drama continues to unfold, the brothers’ application for a “security for costs” order has garnered considerable attention. This protective measure seeks to ensure Kanokporn is financially prepared to handle their legal costs should her claim prove unsuccessful. If approved, it would require her to deposit funds upfront as a safety net.

 

The judge, Julia Clark, is presently reviewing this request, signalling that a formal decision is forthcoming. Observers eagerly anticipate her verdict, understanding it could set a significant precedent for similar future disputes involving cross-border relationships and estate claims.

 

Picture of Kanokporn courtesy of The Daily Mail

As the saga spins ever more intricately, it evokes age-old questions concerning love, loyalty, and the legacy of promises.

 

What remains to be seen is whether whispered assurances made under the moonlit skies of Hua Hin possess enough legal standing to reshape the life of a beautician from Thailand, or if the Burrage brothers’ interpretations of their father’s intentions will prevail, maintaining the integrity of a will crafted decades earlier.

 

The final outcome could prove as lucrative as it is enlightening.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2025-02-04

 

 

Porkies, prozzies, puddings and pies....K'porn, 

[tmd5855]

2 hours ago, hotsun said:

Theres a definite stereotype that farangs all take the old ugly ones, this story doesnt help

My girl is different........

555 555 555

 

[Samh]

1 hour ago, wozzlegummich said:

The only winners here will be the lawyers. There won't be much left of GBP 400K once they've had their snouts in the trough.

But if it looks dodgey the judge probably wont let the case proceed. Of course if her lawyers also think it is dodgey short of her stumping up £30000 deposit they wont proceed. If she loses what chance do they have getting any money out of her.

[TonyFromItaly]

There should be reciprocity in Thai laws.
That woman knows that in Thailand property for foreigners is severely limited, yet she wants to take advantage of English law.
If I were in court I would tell her that since in Thailand a foreigner cannot own houses or land the same goes for her, and that her request should be rejected.
In fact, try to imagine the opposite: a foreign man who is the widow of a wealthy Thai woman, who tries to obtain the inheritance.
What are the chances?