Wills, trusts and inheritance disputes

24 May 2022

Red flags to look for when spotting financial abuse

Mental Health Awareness Week, with its focus this year on the theme of loneliness, is a timely reminder of our duty to protect loved ones and elderly clients who might be vulnerable to financial abuse and undue influence.

30 March 2022

Funerals and feuding families – What happens if there is a dispute over arrangements for a loved one’s body?

The death of a loved one is an incredibly sad and difficult time for any family, and in the vast majority of cases those closest to the deceased are able to arrange an appropriate “send-off” which gives everyone the opportunity to pay their respects and say goodbye. Unfortunately however, there may be situations where the relevant parties cannot agree on the funeral arrangements, or what should happen to the deceased’s body. This blog considers who is legally responsible for deciding what happens to the body and how the Court has approached disputes in recent cases.

10 February 2022

Proving Will Fraud or Forgery: Is There Evidence?

When a family member or loved one dies, sometimes the terms of their will, if they made one during their lifetime, can come as a surprise to those who survive them. For example the will might include unexpected beneficiaries, or certain beneficiaries might receive a greater or lesser share of the estate than others. Under the laws of England and Wales, a person has the freedom to leave their estate to whoever they choose and there is no legal obligation to provide for any particular family member or other individual. Therefore, whilst family members or individuals might regard the terms of the will as unfair or unexpected, the law will generally uphold the wishes of a testator set out in their will, if it has been validly made.

11 January 2022

Is the pandemic the perfect storm for will challenges?

22 October 2021

Claimants given costs boost in inheritance disputes – Hirachand v Hirachand

The Court of Appeal has recently handed down its judgment in the case of Hirachand v Hirachand, concerning an appeal against an order made in May 2020 in proceedings brought by Sheila Hirachand for provision from the estate of Navinchandra Hirachand, her late father, under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“the 1975 Act”).