Manzurul Islam
Legal
A Professionally Drawn Will May Save Your Estate from Fraudsters
A recent report by BBC News revealed a troubling case in which a Will had allegedly been forged in an attempt to steal from a deceased person’s estate.
In late 2023, sisters Lisa and Nicole believed their lives were about to change forever. They had been contacted by Anglia Research Services, a professional heir-finding firm, and informed that they were set to inherit a house worth nearly £1 million — the estate of their late aunt, who had passed away without leaving a Will. With no immediate family, Lisa and Nicole had been identified as her nieces and closest living relatives. The situation appeared straightforward — until it wasn’t.
A man, unknown to the deceased’s family, friends, or neighbours, came forward with a Will naming himself as the sole beneficiary of her estate.
This Will immediately raised serious concerns:
- It was dated 2016, when the deceased was already housebound and disabled.
- It excluded her husband and carer, who was still alive at the time (he died in 2020).
- The deceased’s home address was misspelt, and the address listed for the named sole beneficiary did not exist in 2016 — it belonged to a building constructed in 2021.
- There were no records of the supposed beneficiary ever visiting the deceased, including after she moved into a care home.
Despite these glaring inconsistencies and red flags, the authorities refused to investigate.
Anne Wijayarathne, an Associate Solicitor in our Wills & Probate team, said:
“Sadly, stories like Lisa and Nicole’s highlight just how vulnerable estates can be when a professionally drawn Will is not in place. At Mullis & Peake, our specialist Wills & Probate team can help you and your family ensure your wishes are properly recorded. This helps give your loved one’s peace of mind when they need it most. Let your trusted family members know where the original Will is stored, and review your Will regularly”