Court Helps Family Keep Old Home

Introduction

A court helped the Fortescue family. The family had a big mistake with their taxes. They owed 1.2 million pounds. Now they do not have to pay that money. They can keep their old home in Cornwall.

Main Body

The Boconnoc Estate is a very big house and land. The family bought it a long time ago with money from a big diamond. The family has a famous history. In 2015, Anthony Fortescue died. His wife, Elizabeth, wanted to give money to her daughter, Clare. She wanted to do this without paying tax. The plan was good, but the legal papers were wrong. Because of this mistake, the government asked for a lot of money. The family did not have enough cash to pay. They would have to sell parts of their land. A judge looked at the case. The judge said the mistake was an accident. The family spent twelve years fixing the old house. The judge said it is not fair to take the house because of a paper mistake.

Conclusion

The court changed the legal papers. Now the family can fix the tax problem. They do not have to sell their land. The Boconnoc Estate stays with the family.

Vocabulary Learning

estate
a large house with land房產
Example:The Boconnoc Estate is a very big house and land.
fair
just or reasonable公平
Example:The judge said it is not fair to take the house.
judge
a person who decides in a court法官
Example:A judge looked at the case.
mistake
something done wrong by accident錯誤
Example:The legal papers were wrong because of a mistake.
owed
to need to pay money to someone
Example:They owed 1.2 million pounds.