Failed actress sues mum over inheritance claim

A failed actress is suing her family for a share of their £3 million estate after her mother "broke her word" in 2018 and gave it to her younger brother as a gift.

 

47-year-old Tamara Lucas told the High Court had she known she was not going to be rich in the future she would have pursued a more lucrative law career. Ms Lucas left university to attend Mountview, one of the UK's leading drama schools, to focus on trying to become an actress. But the hearing was told it was "not a success".

 

Ms Lucas's barrister said his client would otherwise now be working for a "top City, US, international or at least regional law firm" had she not relied on assurances that she would inherit "considerable family wealth" in making her career choices. 

 

Ms Lucas said she was told from an early age that she and her brother, Alex, 45, and sister Laura, 39, would one day share her mothers 26-acre Berkshire property.

 

However, Ms Lucas was ejected from the nine-bedroom property in 2016 because her mother, Alex Gatward, found living with her was "intolerable" Mrs Gatward's barrister said.

 

Mrs Gatward told the pre-trial hearing: "My life has been completely ruined by my daughter's greed and intransigence and her lies." 

 

The case will be heard before a judge later this year.

 

Collings Solicitors

Altrincham