A bitter will dispute case which was dubbed by the judge hearing the case as a “fight to the death” has settled after 6 days in Court according to recent press reports.

The dispute concerned the estate of Shirley Guymer who died in 2016 aged 78. Shirley Guymer who lived in Hampshire, had no children and was a widow.

Shirley was terminally ill with cancer and she changed her will just 2 months before her death. Her latest will left her estate to her brother Terry Crook, and his sons, Malcolm and Andrew. Shirley’s estate was worth approximately £800,000.

Her previous will which was prepared in 2014 (shortly after her husband died) divided 95% of her estate equally between her 11 nieces and nephews, (the children of her five siblings). The remaining 5% was to go to the Rowans Hospice who had cared for her in the later stages of her cancer diagnosis.

The latest will was contested and two of Shirley’s sisters alleged that Shirley was unduly influenced by Terry Crook into changing her will (with the latest will being signed in a hospital waiting room). Evidence from another one of Shirley’s sisters was that Terry Crook had “controlled and belittled” Shirley and that Shirley was afraid of Terry.

Prior to the Judge in the Central London County Court making a decision in the will dispute case, the parties reached a settlement and Terry, Malcolm and Andrew agreed that the latest will should be scrapped. This means that Shirley’s estate will be divided according to her 2014 will with 95% being split equally between all nieces and nephews and with the Rowans Hospice receiving 5%.

Our contentious probate specialists say “Based on the information that has been reported in the press, this appears to be a very good outcome for Shirley’s nieces and nephews bearing in mind the risks and costs of litigation”.

If you have concerns about the validity of a will or you require advice in relation to disputing a will, an inheritance dispute or a probate dispute, please call 01902 424927 and ask to speak to one of our specialist contentious probate lawyers. You may wish to talk about funding a will dispute or inheritance dispute. Please note that we can often provide “no win no fee” funding arrangements for inheritance disputes and will disputes.

Our team at George Green LLP are regarded as one of the Midlands' leading teams of will disputes and contentious probate solicitors. Susan Ford is an associate member of ACTAPS. 

Alternatively, please e-mail us at contentiousprobate@georgegreen.co.uk providing a brief summary of the issues you wish to discuss with us, along with your contact details.

We have a dedicated practice team of contentious probate lawyers, covering all areas of the UK (with offices near Birmingham and in Wolverhampton) who are experienced in dealing with all types of will dispute cases, contentious probate matters and inheritance disputes.