When someone knows they will die soon, they may choose to gift property, assets or business shares to a loved one.
Often there isn’t time to update their existing Will, and these ‘deathbed gifts’ take the form of verbal agreements. Because of this, they can cause disputes after the individual has died.
Our solicitors can help if you:
- Have been given a deathbed gift which is being disputed
- Would like to contest a gift given to someone else.
In some cases, a deathbed gift can overrule the instructions left in a Will. This means if you’re a beneficiary of an estate, your share could be reduced because of a deathbed gift to someone else.
Because they’re made at a very sensitive time, deathbed gifts have to meet several conditions in order to be valid. If these are not met, the gift may be disputed.
Deathbed Wills
Sometimes a person may also make a ‘deathbed Will’. This could be verbal or written down. However, such wills are often made in a hurry and may not meet the requirements for a formal will. This means they can cause confusion after the person has died, especially if they contradict an earlier will.
It’s important to know whether the things mentioned in the Will were intended as gifts while the donor was still alive, or are only meant to take effect once the person has died. Whether they are given as lifetime gifts or posthumously can have different consequences for tax and the rest of the estate.
Our Wills, Trusts and Estates Disputes team is the largest in the country, with an unrivalled track record. We understand that each case is unique, and our solicitors have the experience and knowledge to help you.
Whether you’re defending or contesting a deathbed gift, our team will support you and keep you updated on progress throughout your claim.
To find out more, call us on 0345 604 4895 or contact us online.
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