The family of Richard Joy, an 82-year-old military memorabilia collector who passed away in May 2018, is currently embroiled in a legal battle over the ownership of his £650,000 home in Hillside Gardens, Harrow, north-west London. Joy, who lived a life described as reclusive, gifted his property to Mariia Romanyshyn, a 38-year-old Ukrainian waitress, just 18 months prior to his death.

Richard Joy was noted for his eccentricity and passion for collecting rare coins and military medals. Having never married and not having children, he dedicated much of his life to acquiring an extensive collection of militaria, while also spending considerable time at the local library. At the time of his passing, he had resided in the family home his entire life, keeping his parents’ former room untouched and amassing a “mountain of books”.

Romanyshyn met Joy in 2011 at a café named ‘The Upper Crust’, where she worked. Over the years, the two developed a close friendship. She claims that Joy, who visited the café three times a week, eventually invited her, her husband Vasyl, and their daughters to move in with him, which he referred to as forming an “adopted family”. According to Romanyshyn, in 2016, Joy entrusted her with the deeds to the house, stating, “The house is yours. I want you to keep the house.”

However, Joy’s cousin, Martin Larney, who is also the executor of his estate, is contesting the validity of the gift. Larney argues that Joy was not mentally capable of making such a significant decision at the time, citing apparent cognitive impairment and dependency on Romanyshyn for daily living tasks. Larney, represented by barrister Andrew Nicklin, asserts that Joy was “vulnerable” and lacked the capacity to understand the implications of transferring ownership of his property.

Romanyshyn, now a trainee beautician, responds firmly against Larney’s claims, insisting that Joy was mentally capable, as he was able to follow complex narratives in television shows like ‘Sherlock’ and play chess with her daughter. Her barrister, Lynne Counsell, highlighted that there are no medical records indicating that Joy suffered from dementia or cognitive decline. She stated, “The deceased remained independent” and enjoyed significant social interactions, debunking claims of his mental frailty.

Throughout the court proceedings, various details about Joy’s life and character were revealed. It was noted that he consistently struggled with his finances, described by his cousin Doreen Larney as someone who “just wasn’t good with money”. Doreen indicated that contact with Joy diminished over the years, leading to a lack of interaction as both she and her husband faced their own health challenges.

Romanyshyn’s testimony included accounts of her moving in with Joy in 2017 at his invitation and how she and her family provided care and support to him without seeking financial remuneration. The judge, Simon Monty KC, is now tasked with determining the validity of the property transfer, with a ruling expected in the near future.

The case has attracted attention not only for its emotional and familial implications but also for its potential legal ramifications regarding dependency and the capacity to make significant decisions later in life. The ongoing court battle exemplifies the complexities involved when relationships transcend traditional boundaries, particularly in matters of inheritance and ownership.

Source: Noah Wire Services