Negotiation can achieve something unavailable in court

We represented a child (acting through their Litigation Friend) following the death of their father.  The Deceased passed away leaving a Will, in which he made a gift of a property to his sibling and the remainder of the estate to our client, the Deceased’s only child that following his death was left an orphan.

The Deceased’s fiancée, due to receive nothing under the terms of the Will was insisting that the Deceased intended to change his Will before his death so that she would continue to be supported by him, just as she was during his lifetime. She issued a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, which we were defending.

Shortly after the claim was issued, we managed to negotiate a settlement, which allowed for our client’s legacy to remain intact.  The provision for the disappointed fiancée was made wholly out of the specific legacy due to the Deceased’s sibling.

If you are a beneficiary (or a Litigation Friend of a beneficiary) in a Will that is being challenged please do not hesitate to contact our friendly will, trusts and estate dispute lawyers on 01892 510 000.