Inheritance disputes are not uncommon, but the case of Dr Thomas Kwan reveals just how far some people are willing to go to ensure they inherit.
What may have started as disappointment over a parent’s Will escalated into a real-life horror story of deception, poison and attempted murder. Samantha Miller, Associate in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team explains the case.
The crime
In late 2023, Thomas Kwan, sent his mother’s partner a letter. The letter was prepared to look like it had come from the NHS and sought to arrange a home visit, under the pretext of a routine check-up.
Disguised in a medical mask and tinted glasses, Kwan attended the partner’s property and conducted the check-up himself. There, he injected the partner with a poison which he claimed was Covid-19 booster jab.
Shortly thereafter, the partner felt extremely unwell and attended the hospital. At the hospital, he was treated for necrotising fasciitis - a flesh-eating disease and had to have part of his arm removed to stop the disease from spreading.
The police identified Kwan as a suspect following sight of CCTV footage. Upon searching Kwan’s house, police found books on poisons and dangerous chemicals.
Faced with the evidence, Kwan admitted to injecting his mother’s partner with poison and pleaded guilty to attempted murder.
The motive
At the heart of this crime was an inheritance dispute.
According to news reports, Kwan had learned that his mother had put in place a Will which left her house to her partner. Per the Will, Kwan and his siblings would only inherit the house if her partner died before her. It is understood that Kwan was obsessed with money and had planned to poison the partner to make sure he would not stand in the way of Kwan’s inheritance.
While Kwan’s actions represent an extreme (and rare) example of an inheritance dispute, his case highlights the potential for conflict and disagreement when it comes to Wills and inheritance.
Common causes of inheritance disputes
Inheritance disputes are most definitely on the rise, with families frequently finding themselves at odds over Wills and estates.
These disputes can arise for many reasons, including:
- Concerns about the mental capacity of the person who created the Will.
- Suspicions that someone was coerced or unduly influenced when drafting their Will.
- Allegations that an estate is being mismanaged by an executor.
- Spouses and/or children feeling they have been unfairly left out or under-provided for in a Will.
- Concerns that someone’s estate has been wrongly depleted by an attorney or executor
- Issues with missing or invalid Wills, or errors within a Will.
Handling inheritance disputes
Disagreements regarding Wills and inheritance do cause significant stress and emotion at what is already a difficult time. Seeking expert legal advice is the best first step.
Whether through negotiation, mediation or legal proceedings, our approach is to resolve matters with sensitivity to the circumstances in which our clients find themselves.
If you would like advice or assistance, please give one of our team a call to discuss your circumstances.
Published 28 October 2024.
