Siblings dispute $4m estate

The beneficiary of a will stands to lose $600,000 if she loses legal action over her mother’s $4 million estate.

The high-stakes litigation was partly heard in the High Court in Christchurch in April when the executor of the will, Christchurch lawyer Peter Eastgate, sought costs in advance of the main hearing about which of two wills was valid.

Zelda Rose Walker died in Christchurch on September 8, 2018, aged 91 leaving two wills, one made in 2012 and the other in 2014.

Under the earlier will, her children Sharon Beulah WalkerPrentice, Lois Beckwith and Warren Walker shared equally in the residue of the $4m estate but a debt/gift of $600,000 made by Zelda to Sharon had to be repaid. Under the 2014 will it was forgiven. The three siblings have had a longrunning dispute over the estate.

Eastgate has asked the court to endorse the earlier will and Sharon, the youngest sibling, wants the 2014 will endorsed. Warren and Lois stand to gain an extra $200,000 each if the earlier will is regarded as the valid will.

Sharon opposed Eastgate receiving costs from the estate so he could pursue litigation to have the will issue resolved.

Justice Gendall said the siblings had reached a stalemate and Eastgate had properly considered it his duty to put the issue before the court.

Eastgate was entitled to a costs order to cover his reasonable costs in issuing and preparing the proceeding to decide which will was valid and participate as a passive and neutral party.