A family is caught up in a bitter court battle over an estate thought to be worth around £7 million, reports the Telegraph.

Clive Zola Berger, who died in June 2005, made his fortune in property. His widow, Rosana Berger, and his two sons from a former marriage are now arguing over how the money should be shared.

As well as numerous properties, Mr Berger’s estate also included shares in a property company worth approximately £2.9 million. According to the Telegraph, the shares have been put in trust and are to be used to “maximise” Mrs Berger’s income for the rest of her life.

Mrs Berger now lives in a large house in Surry, estimated to be worth around £4.25 million, and claims that the money she currently receives from the estate is not enough to allow her to maintain the house and grounds and to pay staff. She is therefore seeking a larger income, which she believes her husband had intended her to have.

However, her two step-sons maintain that the money she receives is sufficient and instead are using the income from the property firm to improve the properties it owns, with the view that this will improve the family’s wealth in the longer term.

Mrs Berger had originally raised her claim last year, but was told by the court that she had left it too late. However, according to the Telegraph, she has now been given permission to appeal against this decision at the Appeal Court.

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