A challenge was made to will for the alleged lack of capacity of the testatrix who was said to have Alzheimers. The executrix was said to have destroyed hidden evidence.
Held: The 2005 Act had restated the law on capacity in Banks, but had shifted the burden of proof. However in this case the common law applied, the death occuring in 2003.
Stephen Smith QC
[2008] EWHC 1100 (Ch), [2008] WTLR 1261
Bailii
Mental Capacity Act 2005 1 2 3
England and Wales
Citing:
Cited – Fuller v Strum CA 7-Dec-2001
The appellant challenged a finding that only part of a will was valid. The part made a gift to his son, ‘albeit very grudgingly’, saying ‘I hate him like poison, that Irish bastard.’
Held: The onus on the propounder of a will to show that it . .
Cited – Banks v Goodfellow QBD 6-Jul-1870
Test for Capacity to Execute Will
The testator suffered from delusions, but not so badly or in such a way as was found to affect his capacity or to influence his testamentary disposition. The judge had given the following direction: ‘The question is whether . . the testator was . .
Cited – Cattermole v Prisk 2006
Banks v Goodfellow was the appropriate starting and finishing point for consideration of mental capacity to make a will. . .
Cited – In re Simpson Deceased; Schaniel and Another v Simpson and Others ChD 1977
Templeman J reminded solicitors of their duty to ensure the satisfactory execution of a will: ‘In the case of an aged testator or a testator who has suffered a serious illness, there is one golden rule which should always be observed, however . .
Cited – Buckenham v Dickinson ChD 1992
The testator was very old, partially blind and deaf. A next door neighbour who had great advantage of long experience in old peoples’ homes, indicated that the testator was of such poor sight and hearing that he was virtually cut off from everything . .
Cited by:
Cited – Carr and others v Beaven and others ChD 29-Oct-2008
The parties contested the validity of a will on the basis of incapacity.
Held: The golden rule was for a solicitor to obtain a doctor’s opinion as to the testator’s capacity, but bemoaning the absence of one is crying over spilled milk. At the . .
Cited – Key and Another v Key and Others ChD 5-Mar-2010
The will was challenged for want of testamentary capacity. The testator was 89 years old, and the will was made within a week of the death of his wife of 65 years and without the solicitor having taken any proper steps to satisfy himself as to the . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Wills and Probate
Updated: 18 December 2021; Ref: scu.268731