The wife and daughter of a British mountaineer who died in an avalanche are engaged in an ongoing legal dispute over his £10 million estate, the High Court in London heard this week.

Paul Samuel, 55, a noted explorer, author, and entrepreneur, died in June 2018 alongside a Slovenian climber and their local guide on Alpamayo, a peak standing 19,511 feet in the Peruvian Andes. At the time of his death, Mr. Samuel left behind an estate valued at approximately £10 million. His will stipulated that the wealth be divided roughly equally between his wife, Ana Lesiak Samuel, 59, and his daughter from a previous marriage, Kate Samuel, 25.

However, eight years after Mr. Samuel’s passing, the two beneficiaries remain embroiled in a bitter dispute, marked by a reportedly strained relationship that predates the climber’s death. The conflict has been compounded by disagreements with the appointed trustee and estate lawyer, Anna Unett, complicating the administration of the estate and causing delays in the distribution of assets.

Mr. Samuel’s estate includes significant holdings, such as Bank Farm near Whitchurch, Shropshire, valued at £780,000. According to the court, some distributions have already been made: Kate has received a £1 million payment, while Ana was granted ownership of Bank Farm and an additional property. Nonetheless, tensions have escalated, with the parties contesting control over the trust and the executor role.

The dispute surfaced in the High Court in 2023 after disagreements emerged over asset valuations and the division of the estate. At that time, Ana unsuccessfully sought to remove trustee Mrs. Unett and Mr. Samuel’s late father, Peter, from their roles. A judge issued directions regarding asset distribution, yet litigation has persisted.

Mrs. Unett, supported by Kate Samuel, has petitioned the court to remove Ana as executor and co-trustee, alleging that Ana’s actions have caused unnecessary delays and increased costs to the estate. Kate’s barrister, Julie Case, characterized Ana’s involvement as an obstacle to resolving the estate administration. She highlighted a history of a difficult relationship between Ana and Kate, referencing an incident where Ana reportedly barred Kate’s mother from attending a memorial service for Mr. Samuel.

Case argued that Mr. Samuel intended for the estate to be managed without further conflict, with both beneficiaries as equal trustees. She emphasized Kate’s desire for a swift resolution to minimize costs and complete the estate’s distribution, stating the deceased "never intended Ana to act as the sole executor."

In response, Ana’s legal representative, Alexander Learmonth KC, denied any misconduct on her part and assertively maintained her position as executor, explaining that her late husband wanted her to oversee the estate. He also claimed Ana had been denied access to essential estate documents, which hindered progress.

After a half-day hearing, the court adjourned the case, with further proceedings expected at a later date. The ongoing dispute underscores the complexities often involved in administering substantial estates, particularly when personal relationships are fractured.