2 Women, Who Married the Same Man in Las Vegas, Are Now Fighting for Control of His Multimillion-Dollar Fortune

Two women who each married the same man in Las Vegas are now locked in a legal fight over his multimillion-pound estate, according to a report.

Accountant James Dinsdale died of cancer in October 2020 at the age of 55. He wed beautician Margaret Dinsdale, now 41, in Las Vegas in 2017. After his death, however, she discovered that he was still legally married to his first wife, U.K. outlet The Independent reported.

James had previously married cosmetic dentist Dr. Victoria Fowell in Las Vegas in 2012. Because that marriage was never dissolved, his later marriage to Margaret was legally “void,” leaving her without an automatic claim to his £1.8 million ($2.4 million) estate and positioning Fowell as the lawful heir, according to the outlet.

In court filings, Margaret alleges that Fowell “plundered” her late partner’s £1.8 million fortune and “treated [his] estate as if she is solely entitled.” She is seeking a “freezing order” over the assets after her rights as a “spouse” were formally recognised by a judge in July.

Under the U.K.’s Inheritance Act, a spouse is entitled to a greater share of an estate than an unmarried partner.

James died without leaving a will, so his assets were initially divided between Fowell and his 28-year-old son, William Dinsdale, under intestacy rules. Margaret has now claimed “reasonable provision” from the estate and is seeking at least half of the £1.8 million, The Independent reported.

Margaret and James first met in 2008 and began a “romantic relationship” in 2014, later “setting up home together” the following year. They married at the Chapel of the Flowers on Las Vegas Boulevard in 2017. Fowell had married James nearby at the Little White Wedding Chapel, according to The Independent.

Margaret’s lawyer, Jonathan Davey KC, said she entered into the Las Vegas marriage in “good faith,” believing that James’ relationship with Fowell had “ended some time before the relationship between the deceased and the claimant began,” per the U.K.’s The Sun.

“We have no idea what James’ state of mind was; perhaps he didn’t realise he wasn’t divorced,” Davey added.

Margaret also says she was James’ primary caregiver during his illness, looking after him “24 hours per day” while he had terminal cancer and giving up her own work, with James supporting her financially.

Fowell is accused of already spending a substantial portion of the inheritance and selling two properties James left behind, worth a combined £600,000. A judge noted in court that it remains unclear where the rest of the money has gone, The Independent reported.

London’s High Court has been contacted for comment. Fowell and Margaret both declined to comment.

Margaret’s consultant solicitor, Mohaned Salah, said in a statement: “The background to this case is particularly unusual. Obtaining this order was an important step, as it gives Margaret crucial protection and safeguards her ability to enforce any judgment at the conclusion of the proceedings. The process has taken a significant toll on Margaret, but we will continue to stand by her to ensure she achieves justice and receives the outcome she rightly deserves.”