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A Practitioner's Guide to Probate Disputes 2nd Edition

A Practitioner's Guide to Probate Disputes 2nd Edition

Author: Nasreen Pearce
Publisher: Wildy, Simmonds and Hill Publishing
ISBN: 9780854902903

Previous Edition ISBN: 9780854901371
Published In: March 2022
Format: Hardback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

RMB 972.40

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This new edition of A Practitioner's Guide to Probate Disputes provides an invaluable guide to the relevant legal framework and the basis on which a will and other testamentary provisions may be challenged.

This second edition details the issues that personal representatives must deal with, including grounds for their removal and replacement; lifetime testamentary dispositions and claims; the challenges that can be made in relation to them, and the new measures introduced in relation to the execution and attestation of a will as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also specifically covers wills procured as a result of fraud.

This book supplies guidance as to best practice and sets out examples from recent case law to illustrate the legal requirements and the problems which can arise from poor will drafting and a failure to investigate sufficiently all the circumstances relating to the testator/testatrix and their capacity to make a will. New chapters are included on burial disputes and personal representatives. The chapter on procedure for making applications has been expanded to include pre-action steps and disclosure generally. A comprehensive commentary on liability for costs has also been added.

…an ideal text for the experienced adviser who needs a refresh on the areas that give rise to potential disputes, practical matters to consider and how claims are made….a worthwhile addition to the library…guides the reader through the issues logically and reassuringly...deftness in helping readers navigate complex and tricky subjects such as testamentary capacity and constructive trusts…good to see coverage of less common subjects such as burial disputes and forgery. Their inclusion is of real value as discussion of these areas can often be lacking in texts covering disputes….If you do find this text on your shelf, it will no doubt provide reassurance when there is a knotty matter to resolve by pointing you in the right direction.

Law Gazette (Review of previous edition)

A welcome updated second edition covering probate disputes for 2020s…offers lawyers excellent common-sense guidance as to best practice…"

From a review by Elizabeth Robson Taylor and Phillip Taylor MBE, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister’

Table of Cases;

Table of Statutes;

Table of Statutory Instruments;

Table of Conventions

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Wills and codicils;

1.2 Formalities relating to wills;

1.3 Grounds for challenge;

1.4 Other testamentary dispositions;

1.5 Statutory right to challenge;

1.6 International wills;

1.7 Prospective reforms

FORM, CONTENT AND INTERPRETATION OF A WILL;

2.1 Introduction;

2.2 Nature and form of a will;

2.3 Electronic wills;

2.4 Uncertainty relating to intention, subject matter or done;

2.5 Examples of cases of construction of wills;

2.6 Wills where there is a foreign element;

2.7 Requirements of international wills

EXECUTION OF A WILL;

3.1 Formal requirements;

3.2 Will must be in writing;

3.3 Will must be signed by the testator/testatrix or by some other person at his/her direction;

3.4 Position of the signature;

3.5 Execution of the wrong will;

3.6 Signing or acknowledgement of signature in the presence of witnesses;

3.7 Electronic signature;

3.8 Attestation in the presence of witnesses

3.9 Execution and attestation of a will during the Covid-19 pandemic

3.10 Evidence of attestation;

3.11 Competence of witnesses

TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY;

4.1 Introduction;

4.2 Test of testamentary capacity under common law;

4.3 Ascertaining testamentary capacity – the Golden Rule;

4.4 At what stage is assessment of capacity relevant?;

4.5 Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the test for capacity under common law;

4.6 Delusions;

4.7 Senility, confusion and lucid intervals;

4.8 Drunkenness;

4.9 Language and literacy;

4.10 Medical evidence and its limitations;

4.11 Evidence and standard of proof;

4.12 Conclusion

KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL;

5.1 Introduction;

5.2 Mistake;

5.3 Disability;

5.4 Lack of testamentary capacity;

5.5 Suspicious circumstances;

5.6 Standard and burden of proof;

5.7 Conclusion

UNDUE INFLUENCE;

6.1 Introduction;

6.2 What constitutes undue influence?;

6.3 Confidential/fiduciary relationship;

6.4 Nature of the undue influence;

6.5 Fraud;

6.6 Burden of proof;

6.7 Standard of proof;

6.8 Evidence;

6.9 Procedure

FORGERY;

7.1 Introduction;

7.2 Evidence;

7.3 Interface between civil action and forgery as a criminal offence;

7.4 Fraud;

7.5 Burden and standard of proof;

7.6 Conclusion

REVOCATION OF A WILL;

8.1 Introduction;

8.2 Revocation by marriage;

8.3 Revocation by marriage between same sex couples;

8.4 Revocation by formation of civil partnership;

8.5 Effect of conversion of civil partnership to same sex marriage;

8.6 Revocation by annulment or dissolution of the testator’s/testatrix’s marriage;

8.7 Revocation by annulment or dissolution of the testator’s/testatrix’s civil partnership;

8.8 Revocation and execution of a subsequent will;

8.9 Application for the admission to proof of a copy will or codicil where original is missing;

8.10 Revocation by destruction;

8.11 Conditional revocation;

8.12 Preparation and evidence

RECTIFICATION;

9.1 Introduction;

9.2 Sections 20 and 21 of the Administration of Justice Act 1982;

9.3 Clerical error;

9.4 Failure to understand the testator’s/testatrix’s instructions;

9.5 Limitation period;

9.6 Burden and standard of proof;

9.7 Procedure;

9.8 Summary

10.

BURIAL DISPUTES;

10.1 Introduction;

10.2 Ownership of the body;

10.3 Exceptions to the rule on testator/testatrix direction over body;

10.4 Persons who have responsibilities for the body and funeral arrangements;

10.5 Impact of the European Convention on Human Rights;

10.6 Procedure

11.

LIFETIME AGREEMENTS AND GIFTS;

11.1 Introduction;

11.2 Contracts to leave property by will;

11.3 Proprietary estoppel;

11.4 Mutual wills;

11.5 Donatio mortis causa;

11.6 Conclusion

12.

JOINTLY OWNED ASSETS AND ASSETS HELD ON CONSTRUCTIVE TRUST

12.1 Jointly owned assets;

12.2 Constructive trust;

12.3 Conclusion

13.

CLAIMS UNDER THE INHERITANCE (PROVISION FOR FAMILY AND DEPENDANTS) ACT 1975;

13.1 Introduction;

13.2 Who may apply?;

13.3 Time limit for making the claim;

13.4 Grounds for making a claim for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975;

13.5 Matters which the court must take into account;

13.6 Powers of the court to make orders;

13.7 Property treated as part of the net estate and available for financial provision;

13.8 Conclusion

14.

CLAIMS AGAINST, AND REMOVAL OF, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES

14.1 Introduction;

14.2 Breach of duties as personal representative;

14.3 Who can bring a claim?;

14.4 Burden and standard of proof;

14.5 What steps can a personal representative take to avoid personal liability?;

14.6 Application for a Beddoe order: direction and sanction of court to pursue or defend proceedings;

14.7 A Benjamin order;

14.8 Removal of personal representatives;

14.9 Grounds for removal;

14.10 Who can apply to remove a personal representative?;

14.11 Factors which may be relevant;

14.12 Procedure

15.

PROCEDURE;

15.1 Introduction;

15.2 Part 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules – ‘the overriding objective’;

15.3 Venue;

15.4 First step to take – enter a caveat (objection);

15.5 Probate claims;

15.6 Parties;

15.7 How to start a probate claim;

15.8 What the court office must do;

15.9 Service;

15.10 Acknowledgement of service and defence;

15.11 Documents to be served with acknowledgement of service;

15.12 Counterclaim;

15.13 Contents of defence/counterclaim;

15.14 Failure to acknowledge service or file a defence;

15.15 Discontinuance or dismissal of a claim;

15.16 Extension of time limits;

15.17 Disclosure under Part 31 of the Civil Procedure Rules;

15.18 Obtaining further information under Part 18 of the Civil Procedure Rules;

15.19 Inspection of testamentary documents;

15.20 Rectification of wills;

15.21 Costs

15.22 Conclusion

16.

STATUTORY WILLS;

16.1 Introduction;

16.2 Court’s statutory powers to make a statutory will;

16.3 Best interests;

16.4 Pre-action preparation;

16.5 Procedure;

16.6 Effect of execution;

16.7 Conclusion

APPENDICES;

A STATUTORY MATERIAL

A1 Wills Act 1837;

A2 Administration of Justice Act 1982 (extracts);

B PRECEDENTS

B1 Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 (SI 1987/2024) –

First Schedule, Form 3 Caveat;

B2 Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 (SI 1987/2024) –

First Schedule, Form 4 Warning to Caveator;

B3 Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 (SI 1987/2024) –

First Schedule, Form 5 Appearance to Warning or Citation;

B4 Affidavit of Service of Warning and of Non-receipt of Summons for Directions;

B5 Witness Statement/Affidavit about Testamentary Documents;

B6 Some Examples of Undue Influence to be Set Out in the Particulars of Claim;

B7 Defence Limited to Putting the Personal Representative to Proof of the Will;

B8 Defence Alleging Want of Due Execution: Lack of Testamentary Capacity;

C PRACTICE GUIDANCE

C1 ACTAPS Practice Guidance for the Resolution of Probate and Trust Disputes (ACTAPS Code)

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