Dispute Over Cottage Pits British Charities Against Elderly Woman

A battle over a will made by a wealthy widow has pitted several British Charities against the beneficiary of a will who was a lifelong friend of the testator. The dispute arose from the execution of a 1999 will that left a multi-million dollar home to the friend and revoked a 1982 will that left the property to philanthropic organizations. However, the charities are challenging the validity of the will on the basis that the witnesses thought they were witnessing a will for the friend rather than for the testator. The matter is currently before the High Court although there is no indication when a ruling will be handed down.

See Emma Glanfield, Charities in court battle with son of frail 95-year-old who ‘tricked friend into signing over her £1.6million fortune in will’, The Daily Mail, November 10, 2015.