A dramatic inheritance dispute involving an £800,000 estate has reached London’s High Court after 92-year-old pensioner Carry Keats tore up her will on her deathbed. This action has left her relatives to battle over her fortune, pitting five cousins against her younger sister, Josephine Oakley.
Keats, who owned a successful caravan site and had most of her wealth in her home and land in Wiltshire, had initially divided her estate among her cousins in a will drafted 18 months before her death. However, three weeks before passing away, she tore up three-quarters of her will while in the hospital, sparking a legal battle over the validity of her last-minute decision.
The relationship between Keats and Oakley, who had a complicated past, grew closer towards the end of Keats’ life. Oakley supported her sister during her final years, visiting her regularly in the hospital and providing care. Keats made the decision to revoke her will after disagreements with her cousins, who had suggested placing her in a nursing home against her wishes.
Keats’ lawyer confirmed that she was fully aware of her actions and intended to revoke the will, even visiting the law firm with the purpose of cutting out her cousins from her inheritance. The cousins, however, argue that Keats lacked the physical strength to destroy the will completely and question her mental capacity at the time due to her health condition.
Oakley’s barrister argued that Keats made a deliberate choice to revoke the will after feeling betrayed by her cousins, highlighting her consistent support for her sister in her final years. The cousins claim that Keats disapproved of Oakley’s past behavior and did not want her to inherit anything.
The legal battle over Keats’ estate underscores the importance of clear and legally sound estate planning to avoid disputes among family members. The High Court’s decision on whether Keats successfully revoked her will will determine the inheritance of the £800,000 estate, either in favor of Oakley or the cousins. Deputy Master John Linwood has reserved judgment, leaving the future of Keats’ estate uncertain. This case serves as a reminder of the significance of following proper procedures for will execution to prevent conflicts like the one seen in the Keats family.