Undue influence? Advisers' role when clients want to make radical will changes

‘Inheritance disputes often lead to lengthy and costly litigation’

clock • 4 min read

Alexandra McVean shares her legal insight on a problematic estate law case and highlights how advisers can nip will-related issues in the bud

Anju Patel, who had been expecting to inherit almost all of her father's £600,000 estate, has instead been left with a costs bill of around £400,000 following a claim against her father's, Laxmikant Patel, will by her siblings. Piyush and Bhavenetta Stewart-Brown claimed that their father's 2021 will was not validly executed. Under his 2021 will, Laxmikant left his £600,000 house in Harrow, London, to Anju and left Piyush and Bhavenetta just £250.  Under Laxmikant's 2019 will, he left £50,000 to Anju and 1% of his estate to a charitable trust administered by Anju and split the residue...

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