High court rejects forged Will: lessons from Khatun v Hasan & Anor
August 5th 2025On 1st July 2025 the High Court ruled in Khatun v Hasan & Anor [2025] EWHC 1658 (Ch), that a Will disinheriting a man’s only child was fraudulent. Selina Gonzalez, Will and Inheritance Dispute Solicitor, explores the red flags in the Will which led to the court’s decision and how to ensure you get the best legal advice if you suspect will fraud. Background to the case The case was…
The Estate of Veronica Clarke and the Perils of Badly Drafted Wills
May 27th 2025The recent judgment in the case of the Estate of Veronica Clarke serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with poorly drafted Wills. This case highlights the critical importance of professional legal assistance in drafting wills to avoid prolonged disputes, emotional distress, and financial burdens. The Case of Veronica Clarke The High Court addressed the complexities arising from a Will that was ambiguously worded and potentially drafted by…
Son successfully challenges his mother’s Will in claim over £700,000 estate
April 8th 2025In a case widely reported in the media in March 2025, John Baverstock pursued a claim against his sister Lisa Baverstock on the basis of video evidence produced by Lisa herself which showed Lisa placing a pen in their mother’s hand before guiding her hand to sign a Will (drafted by Lisa) with the effect that John stood to inherit nothing from their mother’s estate and Lisa to inherit the…
Crew v Oakley: Understanding Testamentary Capacity and Will Revocation
December 6th 2024Judgment Delivered: November 2024 The recent case of Crew v Oakley provides valuable insight into the legal principles surrounding Will revocation, testamentary capacity and the importance of professional guidelines in estate planning. This recent judgment addressed whether the Deceased, Ms Carry Keats, had the mental capacity to revoke her Will shortly before her death and highlights to complexities of such disputes. Case Summary Ms Carry Keats, aged 92, attempted to…
Judge upholds Will of grandfather who left £50 to five of his grandchildren
July 5th 2024Gowing, St Marseille, Higginbotham, Ward, Pett v Ward and Wiltshire Selina Gonzalez Associate Solicitor in our Will Dispute team reports: Frederick Ward Senior died in 2020 at 91 years old, leaving behind his two children, Terry and Susan. The Deceased also had a third child, Fred, who had died some 5 years before his father. When Fred Senior died, it was discovered that he had chosen not to leave anything in his…
