The High Court has found in favour of an 83-year-old widow who contested the will of her husband of 66 years, awarding her a share of his estate, valued at more than £1 million. In…
What is contentious probate – and why might you challenge a will?
Contentious probate refers to a dispute relating to the way a deceased person’s estate is administered. Put simply, it is a disagreement that occurs after someone has passed away about the validity of their will…
What does it mean to be an executor of a will?
The executor of a will is a person responsible for dealing with the estate of a deceased person. The executor is named by the person making the will, the testator, as being responsible for dealing…
Video-witnessed wills to be made legal
New government legislation, amending the Wills Act 1837, will state that remote witnessing of wills is to be made legal during the coronavirus pandemic. Here, Louise Williams, partner at Hutchinson Thomas, looks at the reasons…
Inheritance case ruling based on which parent died first
A recent inheritance case between two stepsisters based on which of their parents passed away first has been determined by the High Court, which by using a 1925 law, ruled that the younger parent legally outlived…
DIY wills: are they really the easy option?
Do it yourself (DIY) wills have become more and more popular over recent years. Yet with their popularity has come a rise in contentious will and probate matters. The legal requirements of a will are…
The importance of updating your will after a life changing event
It may surprise you that many people don’t have a will, so the idea of changing an existing will may be something that has never crossed your mind. Yet the importance of having a will…