Amanda Noyce

Wills witnessed over video link to be legal

The Government is bringing in legislation that will allow individuals to have their Wills witnessed via video links. The legislation will apply to Wills made since 31 January 2020, the date of the first registered Covid-19 case in England and Wales.

WhatsApp with a digital will? – Finding tech solutions for making a will in isolation

With seriously ill individuals with Covid-19 and the general population exercising social distancing, it is vital that there is still an option to create or update a will whilst remaining in isolation. But how can this be done?

Planning and creating a Will during coronavirus lockdown – your questions answered

The demand for Wills is, understandably, high. However, the requirement for two independent witnesses is proving challenging when the country is in lockdown. The Law Society and the Ministry of Justice are discussing ways to make the signing of Wills and powers of attorney easier and quicker.

Care home fraudster jailed – Justice for Gordon Willey’s family

Southport care home fraudster David Barton has today been found guilty on multiple counts of defrauding elderly people in their care following a year-long criminal trial. He will be sentenced on Friday (13 July) for his offences against various elderly …

A great turn out for Contentious Probate Update

Solicitors from Bath, Bristol and across South West and Wales attended our annual Contentious Probate Update in Bath. The seminar was hosted by our Inheritance & Trusts Disputes team with St John’s Chambers and Mogers Drewett.

Hart brothers win inheritance battle against their sister

Two Dorset brothers have won their long-running legal battle against their sister for a share of their mother’s inheritance. Kenneth and Paul Hart of Poole have won their dispute over gifts amounting to £700k which were made to their sister …

Inheritance and Trust disputes team help brothers claim rightful inheritance

High Court Judge, Sir William Blackburne, has ordered that a daughter must return gifts made to her by her mother in the last year of her life, as he was “not persuaded” that her mother made the gifts of her …

Contentious Probate Update 2021

Royds Withy King and St John’s Chambers Wills & Trusts team are delighted to invite you to their annual contentious probate update seminar held in association with Stone King.

Wife’s claim for financial provision

Fiona* had been married to her husband, Graham, for 25 years before his death. However, shortly prior to his death, Graham had an affair with Helen and, without Fiona’s knowledge, he changed his Will to leave everything to Helen.

Examination of accounts and asset tracing

We acted as executors in relation to the estate of Kevin*, who was one of five brothers.

During this process we found out that a property, which was the main asset of the estate, may have been incorrectly transferred to Kevin during his lifetime.

Defending a claim brought by mother’s carer

James* and Kristina were beneficiaries of their late mother’s estate. They were facing a claim from their late mother’s carer, Isobel, that she should be entitled to a share of their mother’s estate too.

Removal of an executor for failing to deal with mother’s estate

We acted as executors in relation to the estate of Kevin*, who was one of five brothers.