Probate disputes case studies – I have been left out of mother’s Will

The deceased and her husband married very young and had had three children one son and two daughters at a very early age. When the youngest child was only 5, she became the life time companion of a wealthy business man and went to live with him.

She asked her parents and the parents of her husband to care for the children and she very rarely saw them after that time.

On her death 40 years later, she singled out her son and some of her grandchildren to make provision for them, but did not provide for one of her daughters at all. Her other daughter had previously died.

Her daughter brought a claim against the Estate, arguing that her mother should have left her something. A settlement was reached, giving her some money, to take into account her financial position and also her mother's conduct towards her when she was very young.