Will Writing Case Study #1

Maggie moved into Jeff's house and was very happy. They were very much in love. Then tragedy struck, Jeff had an accident at work and was killed.

Maggie was devastated and fell into depression.

Jeff had been previously married to Eva but had never got a divorce, although he and Maggie had talked about it many times.

Maggie got a letter telling her if she didn't move out of Jeff's house as it now belonged to Eva.

Jeff had never made a will, so the bulk of his property automatically passed to his wife.

Maggie had to try make a claim against his estate which was a very long process and costly.

Will Writing Case Study #2

George and Ingrid were both orphans but they found love with each other. They got married and had four wonderful children together.

They were both very good friends with Fred and Dianne next door and the children were often to be found there.

Tragedy struck, George and Ingrid were killed in a road crash.

They had not left a will. As a result the children were taken into care and all George and Ingrid's goods were held on trust for them for when they were eighteen. As Ingrid was younger than George, the trustees were distant cousins of Ingrid's who had never met the children before.

If only they had made a will they could have specified that Fred and Dianne would have been Guardians for the children and that they should act as trustees and be able to use the money as they thought best for the benefit of the children.