EST050 Protecting your estate (431 words)

This article uses a lighter approach to address an important, and often misunderstood, aspect of estate planning. It uses two case studies to explain what can be done to reduce the chance of a Will being contested, particularly by a family member.

Everyone understands the importance of a Will, but how do you ensure your wishes are carried out when you’re no longer around? Who can contest your Will and what are their chances of success?

Maud’s four children hadn’t visited in years so she left her fortune to an obscure charity for wayward arachnids. An extreme example, certainly, yet many would argue that Maud’s wish to bequeath her estate to spiders should be respected.

Fundamentally, Maud’s situation is common: lonely elderly person, charity, disgruntled family members. Who could challenge Maud’s Will and under what circumstances?