Two 'wives' who are at war over a bigamous millionaire's £1.8million fortune could be fighting over an estate that is worth nothing.
Wealthy accountant and Second World War history expert James Dinsdale died of cancer, aged 55, in October 2020.
His death sparked a bitter court row over his fortune between Margaret Dinsdale and dentist Dr Victoria Fowell, who both got hitched to him in Las Vegas ceremonies five years apart.
But a court heard his estate could be worthless as all the cash may have been emptied, with the value of the 17 properties he owned 'significantly inflated'.
They were also 'in extremely poor condition, and some were occupied by squatters'.
Dr Fowell's barrister, Roxanne Reiner, told a judge that all the properties have now been sold, but there may be nothing left.
'After deductions of expenses and large drawings from both Ms Dinsdale and Dr Fowell, the balance of the estate is in practice negative,' she said.
His most recent partner, beautician Mrs Dinsdale, 41, was rocked after his death to discover he was still legally married to cosmetic dentist Dr Fowell.
Beautician Margaret Dinsdale, 41, married James Dinsdale in Las Vegas in 2017
But wealthy accountant Mr Dinsdale had not divorced his first wife, 53-year-old Dr Victoria Fowell (pictured) - who he also married in Vegas some five years earlier in 2012
Mr Dinsdale (pictured) died of cancer, aged 55, in October 2020, leaving his vast estate to be fought over by the two women who both claim to be his wife
It meant that when he wed her in 2017, their marriage was 'void' and left her with no automatic right to inherit.
She only discovered Mr Dinsdale's secret wife when she began sorting out his affairs on the assumption that she would inherit his fortune as his next of kin.
Five years earlier in 2012, he had married dentist, Dr Fowell, 53, on the same Las Vegas street.
He never got around to divorcing her, making her heir to his £1.8million fortune under intestacy laws.
The discovery sparked a court fight between the two women and, after Ms Dinsdale's legal rights as a 'spouse' were formally recognised by a judge last July, she brought a substantial claim to part of his wealth under the Inheritance Act.
The dispute recently returned to London's High Court, with Dr Fowell stepping aside as estate executor as the women traded accusations of depleting the fortune their husband left behind.
Mr Dinsdale had built up an extensive property development business, based around London and Hertfordshire, before he died.
He wed Dr Fowell - a St Albans-based dentist with an expertise in 'cosmetic smile makeovers' - in 2012.
But after splitting, the pair never got divorced and he went on to marry Margaret Dinsdale in 2017 after beginning a 'romantic relationship' with her in 2014. They set up home together the following year.
Margaret's wedding took place at the Chapel of the Flowers on Las Vegas Boulevard, while Dr Fowell had married James five years earlier and 600 metres away at the Little White Wedding Chapel.
Ms Dinsdale says she had no inkling that he was still married when they wed, only learning of it after his tragic death from cancer.
Because he had not made a will, his money was set to be divided after his death between Dr Fowell and his son, William Dinsdale, 28, under intestacy rules until last year's ruling in Ms Dinsdale's favour.
As the row over the money between the two women broke out, Dr Fowell was accused of 'plundering' the estate by Ms Dinsdale.
Returning to court this month, Dr Fowell agreed to step aside from her executor role, with her lawyers saying there may be nothing left to pay out but denying she is to blame.
Pictured is the Little White Wedding Chapel wedding venue, in Las Vegas Boulevard, where Mr Dinsdale married Dr Fowell in 2012
Ms Reiner told the judge that Ms Dinsdale took £375,000 from estate assets - an allegation she denies - adding: 'Ms Fowell has drawn £367,000, believing to be entitled to this sum.'
But James Poole, barrister for Ms Dinsdale, said that the dentist has already been hit with a court freezing order barring certain expenditure due to 'dissipating the assets of the estate'.
The order was in part made to prevent Dr Fowell from 'selling estate assets at an undervalue,' said Mr Poole, pointing out that a pub valued at £750,000 had been sold by Dr Fowell as executor for just £180,000.
With neither woman possessing any savings, they are each struggling to fund a dispute which has now been simmering for nearly a year, and Dr Fowell has been forced to borrow from her parents to cover her legal fees.
Ms Dinsdale's barrister told the court that his client may ultimately also need to sue Dr Fowell personally, as well as James Dinsdale's estate, 'to recover the monies that she has taken from the estate in order to make reasonable financial provision'.
The judge, Master James Brightwell, agreed that Dr Fowell should be removed as executor, also making a £21,000 charging order against her home due to her failure to meet previous costs orders against her.
The full trial of Ms Dinsdale's bid for financial contribution from the estate is not due in court until next year.
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