A FOSTER child who was left a fortune when his millionaire guardian died now faces losing his £1million home after a failed court fight.
Albi Mera inherited 70 per cent of Stuart Brock's fortune when he died, including the family home in Brixton and two other London flats worth more than £500,000.
The engineering company boss changed his will in 2017 to include his foster son, as well as a 30 per cent donation to charity WaterAid.
But the charity took him to court accusing Mera of not paying them their share of the inheritance despite numerous requests.
He is now facing losing his home after a judge ruled in WaterAid's favour.
Master Katherine McQuail made an order removing Mera as executor and personal representative of his foster dad's estate.
Read more news
House prices fall at fastest rate for 12 years
We got £3.5k in freebies by haggling after the cost of our house went up by £17k
The judge also ruled the house and another property be transferred out of his ownership as she also handed him a £52,000 court bill.
She dismissed Mera's complaints that he couldn't afford the bill after losing his job at a drilling company, saying: "I appreciate this is tough for you Mr Mera, but that's what happens in litigation if you don't win."
The court was told the net value of the estate was estimated at £1,141,686, taking into account mortgages on the properties, though that may have increased now due to house price rises.
One of the three family properties was sold in 2021 and the £80,000 proceeds are being held by solicitors.
Most read in The Sun
Hannah Spearritt claims she was left out of S Club's reunion tour
Secret heartache behind Damon Albarn's tears at Wembley concert revealed
Little Mix star and famous partner plan to be new Richard & Judy with TV career
Ashley Cole marries model fiancée Sharon Canu in lavish Italian wedding
In 2019, the other flat and the Brixton house were transferred by Mera as executor to himself in his personal capacity.
Eliza Eagling, for WaterAid, said: "Mr Mera has clearly preferred his interests to those of WaterAid and breached his duty to distribute the estate in accordance with the will.
"Four years have passed since the grant of probate and WaterAid has received nothing.
"Meanwhile, Mr Mera has purportedly sold the (Brixton) property to himself at a significant undervalue – £285,850, versus the probate value of £925,000.
"It appears he has failed to pay the sale price to the estate.
"All that is left is £80,026.52…even that has not been paid to WaterAid."
The lawyer said the company was "very concerned" about Mera's finances and told how he was behind on mortgage payments on the property.
Mera argued he had always intended to pay WaterAid but had "struggles" in his personal life.
Read More on The Sun
My Ryanair booking hack will save you loads on cabin bags… never pay full price
11 freebies & discounts worth £6,788 you can get on Universal Credit
In her ruling, Judge McQuail said Mera needed to be replaced by a "professional person" who could sell the properties in his name if necessary.
She added: "I'm not necessarily forcing the property to be sold, but I can't say for sure what course the independent executor will take."
Source: Read Full Article
