A shocking story of greed and deception has unfolded, leaving a tragic legacy for a family in mourning. Prepare to be outraged as we delve into the details of a £700,000 inheritance battle that has rocked the lives of those closest to a beloved mother.
Kassy Sinar, a 46-year-old cleaning company owner and devoted mother to her 16-year-old daughter Jocey, passed away from breast cancer in October 2023. In a heart-wrenching twist, her partner, Cengiz Arif, attempted to seize control of her entire £500,000 estate, including her London home and a second property in Burnley, by producing a forged will and claiming a secret marriage.
But here's where it gets controversial... Arif, Jocey's father, tried to convince the court that he and Kassy had married in Cyprus in 2006, a fact unknown to Kassy's close family. He even went so far as to ban her relatives from attending her funeral, despite his own absence during her final days.
Kassy's brother, Ernest Sinar, stepped up to fight for the family's rights, taking Arif to court. And the outcome? A High Court judge ruled that both the marriage certificate and the 2023 will presented by Arif were forgeries.
The judge, Chief Master Karen Shuman, upheld Kassy's 2022 will, ensuring her daughter's future was secured. Arif was left with nothing and was ordered to pay the substantial costs of the legal battle, estimated at £206,000.
But the story doesn't end there. The judge also removed Arif from his roles as executor of the will and trustee of the trust fund, and issued an injunction preventing him from touching any of Kassy's assets.
Kassy's life, though cut short, was filled with resilience. Originally from Manchester, she moved to London, built her own cleaning business, and raised her daughter. Her relationship with Arif was an on-off affair, with Jocey born in 2009, and the couple splitting between 2011 and 2018. Kassy even described the relationship as "abusive and toxic" to her friends.
Tragically, Kassy's battle with breast cancer ended her life in October 2023. Arif's actions after her death sparked a war between the family and him, with the family holding their own memorial service after being banned from Kassy's cremation.
Arif's claims of a secret marriage and a new will, leaving everything to him, were met with suspicion and eventually proven false. The judge highlighted the toxic nature of the relationship and the evidence of physical and emotional abuse.
And this is the part most people miss... the judge's ruling on the wills. Arif argued that the 2022 will was invalid due to amendments, but the judge disagreed, stating that the alterations did not make it void. However, the 2023 will presented by Arif was deemed a fake, with strong evidence suggesting the signature was not Kassy's.
The judge's words were powerful: "I'm satisfied that the marriage certificate is a forged document. Cengiz produced in these proceedings a false document. He was never married to Kassy."
As the judge pronounced in favor of the 2022 will, she emphasized, "This is an estate that Kassy wanted to go to her daughter, not her sometime partner and the father of her child."
The impact of Arif's actions was far-reaching. The judge expressed deep concern about his conduct, stating, "I'm very concerned that he has advanced a case on the basis of a forged will supported by a forged marriage certificate and has ignored court orders."
In the end, justice prevailed, and the family's legal guardian, Ernest, was awarded the costs of the case, a substantial sum of £206,000.
This story serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty, fidelity, and the need to protect the vulnerable, especially in times of grief.
What are your thoughts on this complex and emotional case? Do you agree with the judge's ruling? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments below!
