A son, who had offered to donate a lung to his father while he was ill, was awarded over a quarter of his father’s estate by the High Court after a lengthy dispute with his sister over their father’s Will validity.
Kevin Reeves, a property tycoon who died aged 71 in 2019, had left the majority of his £100 million estate to his daughter, Louise, under the terms of his 2014 Will.
Mr Reeves’ son Bill challenged the Will. He alleged that Louise had engineered a new Will for her father on terms that were far more favourable to her.
Under Mr Reeves’ prior Will, prepared in 2012, Bill, Louise and their sister, Lisa, were to receive an equal share of 80 per cent of Mr Reeves’ estate. However, under the 2014 Will, Bill was only to receive £200,000 of personal effects, whereas Louise would receive 80 per cent of the estate and Lisa would receive the other 20 per cent.
Bill challenged the 2014 Will stating it was executed fraudulently by Louise, who had unduly influenced her father to carry out the 2014 Will.
Bill also claimed that his father could barely read when the 2014 Will was executed. Therefore, he could not have known what his new Will even said.
Mr Justice Michael Green rejected Bill’s claims of fraud and undue influence but agreed that Mr Reeves did not know of or approve of the contents of the 2014 Will. The 2014 Will was therefore declared invalid. The 2012 one will take effect, meaning Bill is now in line to receive approximately £27 million from his father’s estate.
A Will can be invalid for several reasons, including if it was entered into fraudulently – if someone unduly influenced the testator into making the Will, if the testator could not make a Will at the time, or if the testator did not have knowledge of or approve of the contents.
If you are concerned that a family member has recently made a Will in suspicious circumstances, it is vital to seek independent legal advice to ascertain your options.
Our litigation lawyers are experienced in dealing with Will disputes and provide high quality, cost-effective service to their clients.
If you would like further information, please contact our offices.