04/12/20
Claims of fraudulent and forged Wills are continuing to increase and the recent case of Ball v Sisson [2020] 1 WLUK 544 saw a claimant successfully argue that his late mother's Will had been forged by his sister in order to gain a share of her mother's estate. Mrs Ball was aged 92 when she…
17/11/20
In the case of Perwaz v Perwaz [2018] UKUT 325 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) examined the issue of undue influence when a mother alleged her son had abused their relationship of trust and confidence and coerced her into transferring her property to him. The case involved &…
23/10/20
Will disputes are becoming increasingly common due to changes in social norms, family structures, increase in elderly population, a rise in dementia and Alzheimer's sufferers and the increasing value of estates. Kirsty McNulty is an Associate at Forbes Solicitors specialising in Contentious Trusts…
13/10/20
Tom Howcroft, a solicitor who specialises in Wills, Trusts and Probate disputes considers how the promise of an inheritance of a family business can be enforced, if that promise is not kept. "One day, all of this will be yours" is a saying often heard when family business owners are…
29/09/20
Although our doors may have been locked over the past few months, the tidal wave of Will disputes has not abated. If anything Will disputes are becoming more common. The courts have physically closed their doors for the majority of, if not all, hearings but the wheels of justice continue to turn with…
18/06/20
Susan Bond from Essex has successfully challenged her mother's Will which left her entire estate to her son, John. The testatrix was Jean Clitheroe, who died in September 2017 leaving an estate worth £325,000. Mrs Clitheroe said that she disinherited Susan because she believed that she…
01/06/20
For a Will to be valid, there are various conditions that must be met. These conditions include the Will being correctly executed by being signed and witnessed, but there are other factors to consider. The testator must have testamentary capacity at the time of execution and have knowledge and…
19/03/20
The present circumstances On 18 March 2020, the Lord Chancellor affirmed that "the rule of law is vital to a functioning democracy and even at times like these, it is essential that our independent courts are able to administer justice." Whilst many public places have either been…
10/03/20
When bringing a claim against an Estate for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, the claim needs to be issued within 6 months of the date of the Grant of Probate, as detailed in Section 4 of the Act. If a claim is to be brought out of this…
09/03/20
A fundamental part of any Will or Trust are the Executors and Trustees. Executors are responsible for the distribution and administration of the estate and it is a position of great trust and responsibility. Thankfully, Executors usually carry out their duties fairly and carefully, however there are…
25/02/20
A claim was recently brought to an end in which the sister and niece of Shirley Guymer (Deceased), alleged a Will executed two months before the Deceased passed away was invalid on one or more of the following grounds: · Lack of testamentary capacity · Want of knowledge and…
