| Industry News |
|
| News » Wills » Sellars error may show need to keep wills up to date |
|
06/11/2009
Sellars error may show need to keep wills up to date |
|
New legal revelations about the will of late comedian Peter Sellars have revealed that the wrong woman inherited his fortune because changes to his documents were not made in time.
Papers that are being put up for auction have revealed that as Mr Sellars was in the process of being divorced from his fourth wife Lynne Frederick in 1980, the pair drew up an agreement that would exclude her from his will once the marriage was officially over.
However, he died of a heart attack before the divorce came through, meaning that as they were officially wed, she inherited £4.5 million.
The longer-term consequence was that Ms Frederick's daughter from a different relationship inherited her fortune when she died in 1994, whereas Peter Sellars' own children only got £750 each in his will.
Such a situation may suggest that those looking to change a will should ask a lawyer skilled in will drafting to compile the document in a way that would cover contingencies such as somebody dying while a legal process is incomplete.
Earlier this week, director general of the Society of Will Writers Brian McMillan said many wills are invalidated because they are not updated to take account of changes to family situations or instances of moving house.
Written by Anthony Dyson
 |
| |
| Related Articles |
11/01/2010
Charity in wills bid
Childrens' charity Barnados has offered to write people's wills for them for free - provided they are aged over 55 and will make a donation to the organisation.
|
07/01/2010
Will survey shows quarter plan charitable giving
Nearly a quarter of people intend to leave some money to charity in a will, a new study has found.
|
29/12/2009
Ex-pats 'must sort out wills before moving abroad'
People leaving the UK to live overseas must ensure their wills are set up to meet legal requirements in both Britain and their new country of residence, it has been stated.
|
22/12/2009
Allotment appeal over wills
Residents of an Oxfordshire town have been asked to help increase the amount of land for allotments through their wills.
|
21/12/2009
Nearly half of young parents 'have no will'
Most people in Britain aged between 18 and 30 do not have a will, according to new figures from the Fellowship of Professional Willwriters and Probate Practitioners.
|
News Archive