The Bardot inheritance dispute
The reported dispute over Brigitte Bardot’s estate highlights what is becoming an increasing issue for many testators when considering how to divide their estate after their death, as Tracy Creed, Partner and head of the Private Client team at Sydney Mitchell, explains.
In this case, we see the competing needs of a long-term companion’s expectations against Brigitte Bardot’s decisions expressed in a will and being defended by a charitable foundation.
At the heart of it is a difficult question, namely, how to balance moral and legal obligations?
According to the information released, Brigitte Bardot’s will divided her estate between her animal welfare foundation and her son, Nicolas Charrier, without making provision for her long term companion, Bernard de Chiara.
It also required her seaside home, La Madrague, to be vacated within six months of her death. Bernard de Chiara’s reported departure from the home, after more than three decades together and years of financial dependence, highlights the potential gap between sharing a life and having an expressly protected place in an estate plan.
A private letter purportedly written by Bridgett Bardot, has added a further layer of controversy. Written in 2022, it reportedly expressed deep dissatisfaction with their relationship. Its publication may influence public perceptions, but a snapshot of a troubled relationship does not, by itself, resolve questions about the will, property ownership, or any entitlement to remain in a home.
Whilst this dispute is being heard in the French courts, the issues raised are becoming more and more common here in England too. The increase in blended families and blended assets are resulting in difficulty when trying to balance the competing needs of new partners or spouses, dependent children, and second families.
Leaving a financially dependent, long-term partner without provision can give rise to a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 within the English and Welsh jurisdiction. Similarly, leading someone to expect provision within a will and then departing from that can also lead to claims to try to enforce those assurances, if the person involved has suffered a detriment in relying on those promises.
Contentious probate disputes are nearly always hostile, expensive, and stressful for all parties involved.
Whilst managing expectations, planning and clear documentation together with sound legal advice can not stop those entitled to bring a claim against an estate from doing so, but it can provide evidence of intentions, reasoning and objectives to defend any such claim.
It is vital to take clear legal advice when preparing wills, but particularly so where there are blended families, dependants who you do not want to benefit from your estate, and family estrangements.
How Sydney Mitchell can help
Our experienced Private Client team supports testators through every stage of the complex estate planning practicalities and can also assist executors, administrators, and families through the probate and estate administration process. Whether you simply need help obtaining the Grant of Representation, or require full estate administration, we provide practical, compassionate advice tailored to your circumstances, helping to reduce stress and ensure estates are administered efficiently.
If you believe that you have been excluded from benefitting from a will or haven’t been provided for adequately under the terms of a will or the intestacy rules, you should seek expert advice at the earliest opportunity to ensure you comply with deadlines imposed under legislation.
To speak to one of our Private Client specialists or Contentious Trust and Probate experts, contact Sydney Mitchell today, via: Talk To Us – Sydney Mitchell Solicitors
Tracy Creed has been practicing for over twenty-six years and deals with a broad spectrum of private client work from estate planning to probate and trust matters, and specialises in Continuing Healthcare funding (CHC). Tracy is named as a ‘Leading Partner’ in the latest (2027) edition of the Legal 500.
