Legal
Inheritance increased after challenging will
A dementia stricken woman slashed her daughter’s inheritance after changing her will just before she died. However, the deceased’s will was challenged in court, resulting in the
daughter’s inheritance being increased by 400 per cent. The case was brought to court by Thursfield Solicitors, who said it was
important to challenge wills if legacies were smaller than expected. The firm acted under the provisions of the Inheritance (Provision
for Family and Dependents) Act 1975. Pam Deol, a senior associate solicitor in the dispute resolution
team at Thursfields, revealed the deceased had made a new will reducing her daughter’s inheritance to approximately £46,000 – but with legal help she succeeded in increasing this to over four times that figure. Ms Deol, a wills specialist and a member of the Association
of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), said: “In this case, there was a potential claim for challenging the validity of a new will made when the deceased was both elderly and suffering from dementia. “The claimant had been the sole executrix and
sole beneficiary of the whole of her mother’s estate in the previous will made several years before death, but the deceased had changed her longstanding will in the last year of her life. “Contested will and probate claims are
Pam Deol: Deceased was elderly and suffering from dementia
increasing due to clients being more aware of their rights, the rise in cohabitation, divorce, remarriage and the aging population suffering from dementia and other such illnesses.”
Sector Focus
Solar energy supplier sold for £12.5m
A Clevedon solar energy equipment supplier has been sold to international industrial group Hill & Smith Holdings for £12.5m. The Clevedon firm is Prolectric
Services, which was the first company in the UK to introduce solar powered streetlights, in 2011. The firm has gone on to develop
other sustainable energy products, including solar power CCTV security systems. The deal to sell Prolectric to Hill
& Smith was done with the support of the corporate team at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, led by Adam McGiveron. He said: “This is yet another
great example of a fast-growth entrepreneurial businesses taking the next step in its growth journey. “We’ve worked with
shareholders at Prolectric for many years and are delighted to support this great deal that benefits both parties.” Gregg Poulter, finance director at
Prolectric, said: “This deal is good for both parties. Our tried and tested products provide an innovative no emission solution for Hill & Smith’s client base and we gain access to global markets that will benefit from our products.”
April 2021 CHAMBERLINK 61
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