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playing games with inheritance and the principle of testamentary freedom following ilott v blue cross

Testamentary freedom and the risks of relying on inheritance

Can adult children ‘rely’ on receiving an inheritance from their parents? Or is this a risky game to play, following what has been seen as a restatement of the principle of testamentary freedom in Ilott v Blue Cross & others? Following the case of Ilott v Blue Cross & Others, a lot has been written about what the Supreme Court’s decision means for those making a will. The feeling is […]

Keeping your will up to date is important to make sure it reflects your personal circumstances at the time

Martin v Williams – when a will hasn’t been updated

The High Court has recently considered a claim under the Inheritance Act 1975 in circumstances where the will left everything to the Testator’s wife, from whom he had been separated for many years, and nothing to his long term partner. We look at Martin v Williams [2017] EHWC 491 (Ch) . The Facts At the time of his death in 2012, Mr Martin had been separated from his wife, Maureen Martin, […]

The Supreme Court has upheld the principle of testamentary freedom and so if someone wishes to leave their estate to charity, such as in the case of Ilott v Mitson, adult children will find it hard to succeed under the Inheritance Act 1975

Gifts to charity – can they be challenged?

It’s not often that legal disputes over the contents of a will make the front pages – but a long running saga that has recently been concluded in the Supreme Court relating to gifts made to charity in a will at the expense of surviving children, has done just that. Challenging a will under the Inheritance Act 1975 As we’ve mentioned before, under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) […]

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