Wrigley Claydon Solicitors

Category: Trusts, Wills & Probate

  • Hepburn’s sons fail to agree how to split late mum Audrey’s memorabilia

    Hepburn’s sons fail to agree how to split late mum Audrey’s memorabilia

    The late actress Audrey Hepburn, who died in 1993, left memorabilia including hats, scarves, jewellery, posters, costumes, photos, scripts and awards, which caused a dispute between her two sons, Sean Ferrer and his half-brother Luca Dotti who each wanted a tangible piece of their late mother.

    Hepburn had left her sons a 50/50 cut of everything she had but no strict guidelines as to who received which items.

    The two brothers attempted to mediate the case before going to trial.

    The brothers both signed a memorabilia agreement which will divide the items between the two of them while they are still attempting to resolve remaining issues.

    At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your behalf to make this difficult process of will disputes a little easier, whether you are bringing a claim or you are on the receiving end. We are experienced in this field and have won complex cases for our clients.

    As it is an emotional time we deal with our cases sensitively.

    If you are looking for will disputes advice please contact us. Call 0161 785 3534 to speak to Shalish Mehta, in our civil and commercial litigation department or email sm@wrigleyclaydon.com.

    Do you think that it is a good idea to mediate before going to trial?

  • Forged will lands accountant with £1.3m legal bill

    An accountant forged his dead mother’s will to take control of a slice in his family’s £160million palm oil business.

    Girish Dahyabhai Patel from north London, used a blank document, pre-signed by his mother, before adding a will around it.

    Mr Patel was caught out by forensic analysis, which revealed the faint indentation of her signature elsewhere on the paper.

    At the High Court in London, Judge Andrew Simmonds QC found the will to be a forgery, meaning a previous will – leaving everything to his brother Yashwant – will stand.

    It leaves Girish Patel with legal bills totaling an estimated £1.3million.

    Mr Patel fell out with his three brothers in 2009 with legal cases ongoing in several different countries.

    Yashwant, a doctor who lives in New York, came forward with a will, made in 1986, leaving everything to him.

    The document was approved, but Mr Patel then launched a bid to overturn it, for the first time producing a document he claimed his mother had signed in 2005.

    Judge Simmonds said: ‘I find that there were available to Girish blank papers pre-signed by the deceased which enabled him to forge the will, utilising a genuine but old signature of the deceased.’

    Judge Simmonds’ ruling means that the 1986 will under which Yashwant gets everything – is Mrs Patel’s last true will.

    Wills and Probate disputes can be very complex and require expert legal guidance to resolve matters as fairly as possible.

    At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your behalf to make this difficult time a little easier, whether you are bringing a claim or you are on the receiving end. We are experienced in this field and have won complex cases for our clients.

    As it is an emotional time we deal with our cases sensitively.

    If you are looking for dispute advice please contact us. Call 0161 785 3534 to speak to Shalish Mehta, in our civil and commercial litigation department or email sm@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Tragic case of PC Paul Briggs highlights the need for Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney

    Tragic case of PC Paul Briggs highlights the need for Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney

    The recent case of ‘right to die’ policeman Paul Briggs, highlights the need for people of all ages to have in place a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney.

    PC Briggs, 43, was involved in a head-on collision on his motorcycle on his way to work for Merseyside Police in July 2015. He suffered several serious injuries including a bleed on the brain and five fractures to his spine. He had been “minimally conscious” in a coma since the accident.

    His wife, Lindsey Briggs, fought on her husband’s behalf for his right to be allowed to die. Although no formal, written “living will” had been made by Mr Briggs about what should happen to him in such circumstances, Mrs Briggs believed her husband would want to be allowed to die. Mrs Briggs applied to the Court of Protection – where judges consider matters concerning people who lack mental capacity and the ability to make decisions for themselves – for her husband to stop receiving life-support treatment. Doctors at The Walton Centre in Liverpool opposed to withdrawing treatment, however Mr Justice Charles ruled in Mrs Briggs’ favour in November 2016 after a yearlong battle through the courts.

    Mr Briggs was transferred to a hospice in December to receive palliative care and died on 21st January 2017.

    Had Mr Briggs had a Lasting Power of Attorney for his Health and Welfare in which he had given his wife the authority to refuse life sustaining treatment on his behalf, the application, delays, upset and, in her opinion, loss of dignity and possible prolonged suffering, would not have been necessary.

    Partner and head of Trusts, Wills, Probate and Powers of Attorney at Wrigley Claydon, Rachel Damianou comments, “Mr Briggs was young and such a scenario would clearly not have ever crossed his mind but the case highlights the fact that Lasting Powers of Attorney are not just for the elderly.”

    Lindsey Briggs has said she hopes her husband’s story will help other families facing similar dilemmas by highlighting the importance of making “advanced decisions” or Lasting Power of Attorney. She added, “A document, a statement of his wishes would have been totally non-negotiable. But Paul didn’t have one. Who does? You think as a wife you’ll be able to speak for your husband, be their voice. It’s shocking to find that you can’t.”

    For further advice on appointing a Lasting Power of Attorney please speak to our experienced probate department on 0161 624 6811.

    Designed by Freepik

  • Will dispute solicitor

    A former judge and her husband who forged a dead man’s will in order to obtain two country cottages which they then converted into a £325,000 home were jailed for six months each earlier today.

    Margaret and Alan Hampshire made it appear as though Martin Blanche had left his house to an elderly cousin of Mrs Hampshire’s on whose behalf she held power of attorney.

    The court had heard how Mr Blanche was a ‘simple man’ who it was thought couldn’t read or write and it was widely considered by those who knew him that it was therefore unlikely he would have written a will.

    The Hampshires claimed they had found a will written by Mr Blanche who they had never even met, as they cleared out his cluttered home after his death.

    Mrs Hampshire, who had previously worked as a solicitor specialising in wills and probate, then transferred the property and another property that her cousin and Mr Blanche had jointly owned to her daughter, before she and her husband knocked through and developed the two homes into one large cottage.

    They initially denied the offences, but pleaded guilty to a string of charges including forgery, fraud and theft part-way through a trial at Nottingham Crown Court last month.

    Judge Gregory Dickinson QC told them: ‘It is a statement of the obvious that forging a will for whatever reason is very serious”.

    A confiscation will take place next year to determine if the pair will have to pay back any proceeds from their crimes.

    Wills and Probate disputes can be very complex and require expert legal guidance to resolve matters as fairly as possible.

    At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your behalf to make this difficult time a little easier, whether you are bringing a claim or you are on the receiving end. We are experienced in this field and have won complex cases for our clients.

    As it is an emotional time we deal with our cases sensitively.

    If you are looking for a Will dispute solicitor please contact us. Call 0161 785 3534 to speak to Shalish Mehta, in our civil and commercial litigation department or email sm@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Our Oldham Will solicitors take part in Dr Kershaw’s Will Week 2016

    Our Oldham Will solicitors take part in Dr Kershaw’s Will Week 2016

    We are taking part in Dr Kershaw’s Will Week from Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th October 2016.  During the week we will prepare Wills for clients free of charge in lieu of a donation to the Hospice. Our usual fees are £95 for a single will and £175 for mirror wills. The idea is to enc

  • Remember a Charity in your Will Week 2016

    Remember a Charity in your Will Week 2016

    Once again we are showing our support for ‘Remember a Charity in your Will Week’ from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th September 2016.

    The week, organised by Remember A Charity, aims to increase awareness of the importance of charitable legacies, and encourage more people to think about charitable giving in Wills. Whilst the decision of where, and indeed who, your money, assets and estate go to after your passing is yours, many people do not even consider charitable organisations. Many think of their spouse and children or grandchildren first, then close family and friends. Leaving something to anyone outside that close circle is rare, and certainly leaving anything to an charity doesn’t enter many people’s minds.

    ‘Remember A Charity in your Will Week’ serves to counter that. Participating solicitors offer a gentle reminder about the benefits of leaving something to a charity or voluntary organisation that is close to your heart. Whether it’s a national (or international) or local, independent charity, any contribution you wish to make after your death, big or small, can be arranged. Cancer and other illness or medical charities are popular, including hospices, mental health and drug and alcohol related charities. Animal, children, homelessness, domestic abuse charities are also common but the decision is yours.

    The gift of charitable legacies is a vital financial source for many voluntary organisation and a life-blood to those accessing the charity’s services.

    If you feel you would like to include a charity in your Will please speak to our Will writing solicitors Oldham. Whether you are creating a new Will or wish to amend an existing one our friendly and experienced team can help you. Please call us on 0161 624 6811.
  • Estate dispute solicitors

    Estate dispute solicitors

    Two sisters, who were cut out of their father’s will on his deathbed, have launched a legal fight for his £4million estate – claiming he was mentally unbalanced by surviving the Hillsborough disaster.

    Thomas Fitzgerald was hours from death and speaking through an oxygen mask when he disinherited his daughters in 2012. The daughters did not need his money, he said, and instead bequeathed his fortune to his new partner and his sisters.

    At the High Court the daughters and their mother claimed his experiences at Hillsborough and other traumatic life events left him so emotionally damaged he was mentally unfit to make a will.

    The daughters and their mother challenged the will at the High Court in 2014, but the Judge ruled that Mr Fitzgerald knew his own mind.

    The Judge rejected claims that he lacked the mental capacity to make a valid will or did not ‘know of and approve’ of its contents and therefore dismissed the case.

    But his daughters and their mother, who Mr Fitzgerald was divorcing at the time of his death, are now fighting in the Court of Appeal battle for a share of the Estate on the basis that the deceased did not understand the impact of his will and therefore should be overturned.

    The daughters and their mother are arguing that the reason given in the will for leaving out the daughters – that they were not dependents – was wrong. They allege that they had ‘emotional dependence’ on their father.

    Will disputes can be very complex and require expert legal guidance to resolve matters as fairly as possible.

    At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your behalf to make this difficult time a little easier, whether you are bringing a claim or you are on the receiving end. We are experienced in this field and have won complex cases for our clients.

    As it is an emotional time we deal with our cases sensitively ensuring that all of our clients are happy with each stage of the process and the outcome of proceedings.

    If you are looking for Will and Estate dispute solicitors do not hesitate to contact us. Call 0161 785 3534 to speak to to Shalish Mehta, in our civil and commercial litigation department or email sm@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Dying Matters Awareness Week 2016

    Dying Matters Awareness Week 2016

    Dying Matters Awareness Week, which runs from 9th-15th May, encourages people to talk about and prepare for dying.

    The national campaign aims to highlight the importance of talking more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.

    The year’s campaign is focused around the #BigConversation. The hashtag, to be used across digital platforms, is designed to encourage people to talk openly about what are commonly difficult issues. The messaging is quite direct with strap lines including ‘Talking about dying won’t make it happen‘. It is hoped the hard-hitting one-liners will help break down the barriers and stigma around death and help society as a whole to recognise that death and bereavement are a part of the natural life cycle, and that talking about it will help us all us all to cope better with issues surrounding death.

    The Dying Matters Coalition has planned a series of Twitter chats throughout Dying Matters Awareness Week. Each day between 1 and 2pm will look at the following topics:

    Monday 9 May: The importance of making a funeral plan

    Tuesday 10 May: Planning for your future care and support

    Wednesday 11 May: The importance of making a will

    Thursday 12 May: Signing up as an organ donor

    Friday 13 May: Making sure your loved ones know your plans

    Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May: Your choice – chat about anything and everything related to dying, death and bereavement.

    Professionals, those with personal experiences or anyone with a question are encouraged to join the conversation using the hashtag #BigConversation.

    For more information about the campaign, visit www.dyingmatters.org or twitter.com/DyingMatters.

    The Wills, Probate and Trusts solicitors at Wrigley Claydon are experienced professionals who can help prepare your Will, give advice on appointing a Power or Attorney, or support loved ones through Probate or a Will Dispute.

    Please contact our friendly and compassionate team on 0161 624 6811 or email Rachel Damianou at rld@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Need an LPA but no one to help? Consider a professional power of attorney

    Need an LPA but no one to help? Consider a professional power of attorney

    Much has now been written about the benefits of a Lasting Power of Attorney.

    It is a way to ensure that if you ever are unable to deal with your own property and finances or make decisions about your health and welfare, someone else can.

    So, who should be appointed to make those decisions for you? Ideally a family member or close friend who would be willing to help you should the need arise. But what if you have no close family or friends or are worried about the burden of appointing them? That is where you can choose to appoint trusted professionals such as your Accountant, Financial Advisor or Solicitor.

    A professional power of attorney will charge for their services but having a professionally drawn Lasting Power of Attorney gives an opportunity for fee details to be discussed and included in the Power of Attorney so it is clear what fees will be charged and how those fees will be calculated.

    At Wrigley Claydon we act as Attorneys for many such clients who now have the peace of mind that should the need arise, their affairs will be looked after professionally, sensitively and in accordance with their wishes.

    To find out more about appointing a professional power of attorney please contact Jyoti Patel or Rachel Damianou on 0161 624 6811 or email rld@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Advice on contesting a Will from our Will dispute solicitors

    Advice on contesting a Will from our Will dispute solicitors

    Actress Lynda Bellingham, who starred in the long running Oxo TV adverts and panelist on Loose Women, died in 2014. In her will she left everything to her husband, Michael Pattemore.

    Ms Bellingham’s two sons have criticised Mr Pattemore for ‘disrespecting their mother’s memory’ since her death.

    The sons stated they are in the process of challenging their mother’s will and accused Mr Pattemore of depriving them of their inheritance, evicting them from the family home and squandering thousands of pounds from their mother’s estate.

    Will disputes can be very complex and require expert legal guidance to resolve matters as fairly as possible.

    At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your behalf to make this difficult time a little easier, whether you are bringing a claim or you are on the receiving end. We are experts in this field and have won complex cases for our clients.

    As it is an emotional time we deal with each case sensitively ensuring that all of our clients are happy with each stage of the process and the outcome of proceedings.

    If you are looking for Will and Estate dispute advice do not hesitate to contact us. Call 0161 785 3534 to speak to to Shalish Mehta in our disputes department or email shalish.mehta@wrigleyclaydon.com.