Will dispute cases
Kathy Kolk was a single mother. Her daughter was the only
grandchild of her mother. Kathy thought it was unfair when
her mother left her less than 10 per cent of her estate, especially
as she had spent many years caring for her mother. Kathy asked
Maurice Blackburn to help rectify the situation, and we were able
to successfully increase her claim on the estate to more than 40
per cent. The extra inheritance has enabled Kathy to better provide
for her daughter, including sending her to the school of her
choice. Watch Kathy tell her story in her own
words.
Jean* had a good relationship with her mother for most of her
life. She was a loving and dutiful daughter and helped her mother
in whatever way she could. Unfortunately they had a falling out
when her mother was elderly, which wasn't resolved before her
mother's death. When her mother died, she left her entire estate to
Jean's brother, including the family home. Jean was very surprised
about that - despite their estranged relationship she still loved
her mother and thought her mother still loved her.
Paul* loved his father, but didn't spend much time with him.
After their parents divorced, while he and his sister were in their
teens, Paul lived with his mum and Simone*, his sister, lived with
their father. When his father died, he left his entire estate to
Simone, including the family home where Paul had spent most of his
childhood. Paul didn't expect much of an inheritance, but he was
shocked to learn he didn't get anything at all - despite their
family circumstances he felt very aggrieved that his father had
totally cut him out of his Will.
Jim* had a fairly normal childhood. He had the usual squabbles
with his parents and brothers and sisters but they got along okay.
In his adult life, a family quarrel caused a falling out between
the siblings and unfortunately also caused him to become estranged
from his parents. He always felt he was the 'black sheep' of the
family and the rift between them grew deeper until, after his
father died, he hardly saw his mother in the later years of her
life. When his mother died, she left 90% of her estate to his
sister and brother, including the family home where Jim had spent
most of his childhood. Jim was surprised that he was only left
10%. Despite their estranged relationship, he felt that his
mother would have recognised him more fairly in her Will.
* names changed for privacy reasons.
Maurice Blackburn, acting on a no win - no charge
basis, was able to negotiate settlements for Kathy, Jean, Paul
and Jim. By bringing their cases to an early resolution, Maurice
Blackburn avoided taking the matters to court.
This kept legal fees to a minimum and helped avoid the stress
associated with legal proceedings for will disputes.
Want to know more?
Read more on how we
will handle your case, including acting for you on a 'no win -
no charge' basis.
If you want to find out how to contest a Will, click here to contact one of
our Will disputes lawyers, or call us on 1800 810 856.