Caribbean Cousins Win £2m Fortune After Heir Hunt Victory
Two Caribbean cousins have triumphed in a High Court battle to claim their share of a £2.7 million estate left by a bachelor multimillionaire, following a complex genealogical investigation that delved into their grandfather's romantic entanglements across the British Commonwealth.
McDonald Noel, who emigrated from Trinidad to London in 1960, died childless and intestate in 2018 at age 84, leaving behind a substantial fortune including a £1.5 million Kensington property. His wealth, earned through shopkeeping and property investment, was destined for government coffers until heir hunters intervened.
Commonwealth Connections Unravelled
The case centred on the complex family history of McDonald's father, Stanley Dorant, a Barbadian who travelled between Caribbean islands fathering children. Master Katherine McQuail conducted a rare legal "kin enquiry" to determine legitimate heirs among four competing families.
The judge awarded victory to cousins Shaka and Desiree Dorant after establishing their fathers were Stanley's sons, making them McDonald's half-nephews and niece respectively. The ruling demonstrates the enduring legal importance of bloodline inheritance within our Commonwealth traditions.
Traditional Values Upheld
Daniel Burton, representing the successful claimants, explained how heir hunters Hoopers traced potential beneficiaries across the Caribbean diaspora. "It is the romantic life of McDonald's father Stanley which is central to the genealogical questions in this case," he told the court.
Stanley Dorant, born in Barbados in 1906, exemplified the mobility within our historic Commonwealth territories, travelling between Trinidad and Barbados whilst establishing family connections on both islands before his death in 1968.
Judicial Pragmatism Prevails
The case highlighted cultural differences within Commonwealth society, with legal counsel noting the prevalence of relationships outside marriage in Caribbean communities. Aidan Briggs warned against applying "middle-class English norms to a Caribbean setting," referencing the practice of "giving a man a jacket" - falsely attributing paternity for financial gain.
Master McQuail's methodical approach examined passenger manifests and birth records spanning the 1930s. She established that Stanley visited Barbados in December 1935, with St Clair born exactly 40 weeks later, providing compelling evidence of paternity.
However, claims from other alleged descendants failed to meet the court's evidential standards. The judge rejected assertions regarding Clyde and Stella, finding insufficient proof of Stanley's presence at crucial conception periods.
Estate Distribution Secured
The ruling ensures McDonald Noel's substantial estate will remain within family bloodlines rather than defaulting to state ownership. Shaka Dorant, as Stanley's sole surviving grandson through Francis, will share the inheritance with Desiree Dorant and her four siblings.
This case underscores the importance of proper estate planning and demonstrates how British legal traditions successfully navigate complex Commonwealth family structures whilst upholding principles of legitimate inheritance and bloodline succession.