In the most astounding turn of events, a family was left empty-handed after their rich elderly relative’s demise. But what stunned them the most was how two strangers were declared rightful owners of the multi-million-dollar estate. Here’s the whole story!
As humans, we prefer to be in control of situations and might not always like things spiraling out of control. When something goes against our wishes, we often feel hurt, disillusioned, and hopeless.
Regaining our balance and finding a way out might not always be easy, even if it lasts momentarily. Something similar happened to an Australian family when life surprised them in ways they had never thought possible.
Purchasing a New House
In 1999, David Moore and his partner, Dee Andreasen, bought a house on 70 Louisa Road in Birchgrove, Sydney’s Inner West area. They described their then-new residence as the “worst house in the best street.”
But her hopes and wishes seemingly went down the drain.
The Wealthy Next-Door Neighbor
When they began living in the wealthy suburb, the couple met Barbara Murphy, who owned 66 and 68 Louisa Road properties. Murphy had rented out the other units and was the only tenant residing upstairs at 68 Louisa Road, Birchgrove.
According to Bev Maunsell, another neighbor who lived across the road for over three decades, Ms. Murphy grew up during the Great Depression. Maunsell said she attended every auction event in Birchgrove, was a prudent money handler, and knew the worth of each property.
Meanwhile, Moore and Andreasen, who initially lived down the street, ended up forging a close friendship with Murphy after moving next door to her. It was something neither of the parties had anticipated, but it was a pleasant experience.
Ms. Murphy’s Will
Sadly, Ms. Murphy passed away in her Sydney waterfront home in 2015 at age 83. She reportedly altered her will a year before her death and gave her next-door neighbors, Moore and Andreasen, $25,000.
But she left her whole estate worth $11 million then, to her brother and sister, Don and Marion. They were to divide the share equally, but if Murphy outlived them, all the proceeds would go to two Sydney hospitals.
Taking the Matter to Court
Strangely enough, Moore decided to contest the late Ms. Murphy’s will in court. He and Andreasen even visited her siblings, Don and Marion, in their New South Wales Far North Coast home, trying to settle the matter outside court.
While the sibling duo appeared surprised by their sister’s decision, especially with the brother unaware of the property’s value at the time, they didn’t budge. After their refusal, Mr. Moore had to wait for the court’s decision.
Empty-Handed & Devastated
The legal fight lasted six years, during which time Don and Marion passed away, and the court fees continued to increase. Finally, in October 2020, Ms. Murphy’s neighbors won the case and received their much-awaited windfall.
The shocking news devastated Marion’s stepkids, Carol Gaarde, David Hickman, and Shirley Archer. They believed that after Marion’s death, they would automatically be entitled to the state.
Hickman said she and her family cared for Marion and deserved their share of the property. She was also dumbfounded at how the court could supersede something as substantial as a will.
In addition to Hickman, another person shattered by the court’s verdict was Gaarde. Given her financial conditions, she had hoped to use her share of the inheritance to better her situation. But her hopes and wishes seemingly went down the drain.
A Promise Made Years Ago
So, how did Mr. Moore and Ms. Andreasen win the challenging court fight? When they first began living next door to Ms. Murphy, they wanted to renovate their house. The duo even planned to sell their waterfront home at a high price.
But they decided to forgo renovation plans over their course of friendship with Ms. Murphy. Per Mr. Moore, the wealthy older lady promised to leave them her entire estate, but she had two conditions.
Firstly, she urged the couple not to extend their property so her lovely harbor views wouldn’t be blocked. Secondly, because she had no kids and close relatives in Sydney, she asked them if they would be interested in caring for her, so she didn’t spend her remaining life in a nursing home.
Keeping Their Word & Winning the Case
Mr. Moore and his partner told the court they kept their side of the promise. They said Ms. Murphy was so pleased with them that she promised to leave her whole estate in their names.
Eventually, the judge ruled in their favor after considering how brilliantly they kept their word to the late Sydney resident. After that, Moore and Andreasen were declared rightful owners of the $40 million estate in return for staying true to their promise to Ms. Murphy.
What are your thoughts on this story? Do you agree with the court’s decision to hand the late elderly woman’s multi-million-dollar estate to her neighbors?