Deliberately destroying a will

katy123

Is this scenario possible? Single parent makes a will and decides to split estate 90% to daughter & 10% to son. The will is stored at home and on death, son finds the original will at home and decides to destroy the will so that intestacy kicks in, therefore the son will inherit 50%? Doesn’t this highlight the risk of storing your will at home?  If so, what are the sensible alternative solutions to this?

danthemoneysavingman

Lodge will with solicitor.

elsien

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414059/will-storage-question#latest

What made you decide not to use this option?

user1977

And/or ensure there are copies and other people aware of the contents of the Will.

katy123

elsien said:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414059/will-storage-question#latest

What made you decide not to use this option?

This isn't my will or my parent. It is for a colleague of mine.

katy123

danthemoneysavingman said:

Lodge will with solicitor.

Solicitors merge, close down, flood, misplace the will....I've heard all sorts

Emmia

You can use the central government service to store your will and associated codicils, for a fee of £20 (if it's all in the same envelope)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/store-a-will-with-the-probate-service/how-to-store-a-will-with-the-probate-service

NlghtOwl

Inform both children of the contents of the will and explanation why. Especially when there is such an extreme split of assets. Let them take a copy. I would suggest transparency in nearly all of these cases to prevent future issues.

elsien

katy123 said:

elsien said:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6414059/will-storage-question#latest

What made you decide not to use this option?

This isn't my will or my parent. It is for a colleague of mine.

The solution is still the same though?

Emmia

NlghtOwl said:

Inform both children of the contents of the will and explanation why. Especially when there is such an extreme split of assets. Let them take a copy. I would suggest transparency in nearly all of these cases to prevent future issues.

I'd still store the will out of the home.

Hoenir

How to store a will with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/store-a-will-with-the-probate-service/how-to-store-a-will-with-the-probate-service