A widow’s fight for her late husband’s inheritance has taken a dramatic turn, centering on a substantial sum of money and accusations of reckless spending. Phikul Harte is locked in a legal battle to recover over £447,000 from the ex-wife of Bartholomew Gold, Marsha Gomez.
The dispute stems from the sale of Gold’s opulent seafront home – a seven-bedroom estate complete with a spa and private boathouse – following his death in 2020. Despite dying without a will, the estate was valued at approximately £800,000, intended to be divided between Harte and Gold’s son.
However, a significant portion of the £434,134 raised from the house sale inexplicably landed in Gomez’s possession. A previous High Court ruling confirmed the funds rightfully belonged to Gold’s estate, ordering Gomez to repay the amount with interest, a directive she has yet to fulfill.
Harte’s legal team now argues that Gomez has already begun to squander the money, despite being fully aware of the outstanding claim. Court documents reveal a spending spree in June, including nearly £39,000 on mortgage payments, over £35,000 on debts, and more than £34,000 on expenses like new double glazing and everyday living costs.
Gomez admits receiving the funds and losing £275,000 through a failed investment, but maintains her intention to settle the debt. She claims the remaining £160,000 was spent on gifts, legal fees, and general expenses, rendering the money “not readily available” for repayment.
Harte’s barrister, Emma Germany, painted a stark picture of Gomez’s actions, asserting she knowingly used estate funds that weren’t hers and has repeatedly failed to disclose her assets. The request for a freezing injunction is based on a very real “risk of dissipation,” preventing further loss of the estate’s money.
Gomez’s defense centers on her ability to repay the debt through her property portfolio, arguing that a continued asset freeze is “unnecessary and disproportionate.” Her barrister, Suleman Shams, described the injunction as “draconian,” claiming it hinders her ability to manage ongoing expenses, including those related to Airbnb properties.
The courtroom heard that the injunction is impacting Gomez’s ability to cover essential costs. She insists she is committed to resolving the debt, but the judge must now decide whether to grant the requested asset freeze, effectively halting any further movement of her funds.
Judge Alan Johns KC has reserved his decision, leaving the fate of Gold’s estate – and the future of Gomez’s assets – hanging in the balance. The case underscores a desperate struggle to secure an inheritance and the complex legal battles that can follow a sudden loss.
