An expert in legal cases involving Wills and probate matters is warning family members to seek professional advice if they have concerns over the validity of a loved one’s Will.
Stephanie Kerr, solicitor in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution team at regional law firm Napthens, points to a recent court case involving an accountant who was found to have forged his mother’s Will in a bid to secure part of the family’s £160m fortune.
The High Court heard that the defendant, a London business man, was left nothing in his mother’s Will, so used a blank document which his mother had previously signed, to forge a new one.
His family became suspicious and forensic analysis proved the forgery had taken place. He has been left with a legal bill totalling more than £1million.
Stephanie Kerr said: “It is very unusual for a Will to have been found to be forged in this manner, but if family members have any doubts over the validity of a loved one’s Will, they should quickly seek legal advice.
“It may not be the document itself that a family member feels is incorrect – it may be they are concerned their loved one was coerced into changing a Will, or were not of sound mind when they did so.
“Such details can be investigated by a solicitor and if there is found to be an issue, there is action that can be taken. It’s important to report such concerns as quickly as possible.”
