A self-employed owner who told his mother to change her will and leave her £ 300,000 home to take care of her baby, her three half-siblings have sued for her share of the inheritance.
Train driver Ian McLean, 61, and his two brothers were completely cut off when Maureen, the second wife of their late father Reginald, changed her will in 2019, leaving all of the couple’s property to her biological son, Lord Brett McLean.
Reginald and Maureen had previously agreed in 2017 to share all their property equally between their son Brett, nicknamed the Lord of Hastings, and Reginald’s first marriage siblings: Ian, former Squadron Sean McLean and his sister Lorraine Pomeroy. .
But after Reginald’s death, Maureen changed her mind, cutting off all her stepchildren and leaving everything to her title son, who describes himself as online ‘president, consultant, patron, trustee and president of national, regional and local business, philanthropic and voluntary organizations. . ‘
Brett argues that the letters from his half-brothers prove that the deceased couple agreed to share their money equally among all four children.
If the 47-year-old loses the case, not only will he lose his home, but his stepbrother will have to pay back the rent bill for the time he has been at home.
Self-proclaimed Lord Brett McLean, 47, (pictured outside Central London County Court) says his mother gave him a 300,000 home in Sussex to continue caring for his two children.
Ian McLean, who criticized Brett for being a ‘scapegoat’, and his two brothers are arguing that they all deserve an equal share of the inheritance because parents Reginald and Maureen did Mirror Wills in 2017. It was their wish.
Maureen McLean changed her mind in 2019 after her husband’s death, leaving her home (pictured) to her biological son Brett McLean – writing to her three stepchildren
Reginald and Maureen McLean (second left and center) planned to divide their property equally among their children, but after Reginald’s death, Maureen left it all to her son, Lord Brett McLean (second right).
A Central London County court has heard that Reginald left his first wife and their three children in 1960 and later reunited with Maureen to give birth to their son Brett almost a decade later.
Brett – whose lordship was given to him by a friend who worked on the council – says he was living in the family home when his parents died and this is now his home.
Homes make up the bulk of the couple’s estate, with similar properties on the street recently selling for between £ 300,000 and £ 400,000.
Lord Brett claims that his mother left him at Seaside Road, St. Leonard’s, East Sussex, so that he could continue to care for his green Amazon-winged yarn and orange zend (parquet).
But in 2017, the stepbrothers say, Reginald and Maureen made a will and then sent letters to all the children, the house and the rest of their joint property would be equally distributed among all four.
Guy Holland for stepchildren told recorder Graeme Robertson: ‘Reginald and Maureen implemented the mirror wishes. The claimants allege that they, too, were of a reciprocal nature with Reginald and Maureen and explicitly agreed not to reject or change the terms created.
‘The claimants rely on the evidence of the lawyer who drafted the will … and unexpected letters confirming their intention not to change the terms of their will.
‘Reginald died without changing his will.
‘After Reginald’s death, Maureen executed a new will … displacing the claiming stepchild and leaving all her property to her biological child, the defendant.
The plaintiffs claim in a declaration that Maureen’s property is held in equal shares for himself and the defendant in the same shares in accordance with the terms of the mutual will and the resulting instructions regarding the sale of the property constituting the majority of the property, where the defendant is present. To live. ‘
Lord Brett described himself online as ‘chairman, advisor, patron, trustee and chairman of national, regional and local business, philanthropic and voluntary organizations’ (pictured with former Prime Minister David Cameron).
Brett claims that letters signed by his parents in 2017 indicate that their property should be shared equally among the four children.
However, Lord Brett argues that the letters of intent are not “real” and that Reginald’s dementia and Maureen’s “undue influence” could invalidate the mirror will he implemented in 2017.
He told the court in his written submission: ‘Defendant’s mother left all her property to her only biological son-defendant so that she could continue to care for her green Amazon orange-winged yarn and yellow and orange zebra (parakeet). And to continue to provide housing for his son, because he knew that the claimants all had their own property and would benefit from his mother’s will when the time came, and because his son had no property or family because he had dedicated his life. Taking care of his parents, he felt compelled to do so morally.
Defendant’s mother left all her land to her sole guardian so that she could find shelter and a place to stay where she could sleep and take care of Jande. She will be able to continue protecting and caring for her son after he leaves.
He added, “Over a period of 45 years, the defendant and his parents had very limited contact with the claimant.
Mr Hollande insisted there was no evidence that the letters of intent were anything other than genuine, telling the judge: ‘In 2018, all claimants received copies of letters typed in the post from Maureen and Reginald, citing the fact that they had changed. They don’t want to change anything. ‘
Brett says he continued to care for all of his mother’s possessions, including his parrot, an Amazon orange-winged sleeping bag, and a parakeet (stock image of the packet).
The letter said: ‘We met with a professional law firm about a year ago and gave up our desire to represent our interests. Our health is as it is now, we don’t feel confident to change anything, but equally we feel very happy with the work we have done.
‘We are very proud of you and your family and hope that what we have been able to do, you will give each and your children and grandchildren something to enjoy.’
The barrister said: ‘The main part of the letters is typed but they are signed’ Mother and Father ‘in the manuscript script and the manuscript names at the top. Ian has kept the envelope of his letter which includes the manuscript address and the sender’s address.
Defendant … questions the veracity of the letters, describing them as ‘fake’ documents – however, he denied the opportunity to obtain expert evidence regarding the manuscript and whether it belonged to Reginald or Maureen.
“There is no evidence in court to support the claim that the letters were fraudulent.
‘It is clear and inferred from the facts of this case that there was a provision of agreement between Reginald and Maureen, whether expressed or implied, for the effect that he would not later inform the other or change his will after death. Others, ‘he concluded.
Lord Brett told the judge that there was “clear evidence” that his father was suffering from advanced dementia when he made the disputed will.
He also claimed that his brother Ian was not close to his father and was rarely seen.
Ian of Kudam, near Sevenox, Kent, replied in a witness box that it was not appropriate, claiming that he often met his half-brother Brett when he was not there.
Brett also claimed that Ian Maureen was not close to him.
But Ian replied: ‘My father left my mother when I was three years old. You are about 14 years younger than me. When you were a kid, I was out to make a living for myself. ‘
Ian criticized his stepbrother as ‘Dhawali’, citing, for example, a letter of complaint to the local council – which Brett wrote to his mother – referring to the family home as ‘desirable residence’.
Ian said, ‘I’m sure you wrote that letter. “You are the only person who would be hypocritical enough to call that house a ‘desired settlement.'”
The court also heard that, if he lost the case, Lord Brett, who is representing himself, would not only have to lose his home, but his half-siblings would also pay back the rent bill for the time he had spent. Home
The hearing is ongoing.