Burgess & anr v Hawes & ors 0CL10537

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | April 2012 #118

Daphne Mary Burgess (testatrix), who was a widow, had made a will on 23 September 1996 (1996 will) leaving her entire estate equally between her three children, the first and second claimants and the first defendant. At that time, she was living at 8 Abbey Way, Bradville, Milton Keynes (8 Abbey Way) and, while retaining a sense of financial independence, she relied on her son for the payment of household bills. Her physical health deteriorated as she became older, medication was already required for hypertension when she was diagnosed with diabetes, and an arthritic condition worsened to...

Wills: The right to spite

Fiona Campbell-White assesses whether we are still at liberty to leave our property to whomever we choose, however irrational ‘A testator can be unreasonable when making their will, provided that they are not deluded at the same time. Similarly, a will can be irrational, provided that the testator is capable of making a rational, fair …
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