A simple error with a signature on a will has ensured that leading charities lose a donation of £ 1 million, while the director of the Will-Writing Service received half of the estate.
Rosemary Hill, 88, used legal love letters to write a New Testament just a few days before her death, so that the majority of her wealth of médecins without Frontières, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Overlaying.
After Mrs. Hill, a retired doctor, died, meant an error in witnessing her signature that the charities were completely missing.
This resulted in half of her legacy that went to one of her, who is also director at Legal Love Letters.
The charities have submitted a legal claim against the company, officially called Will & Probate Company, reports The Times, De Times reports.
The company, based in Carshalton, South London, is owned by Cheryl Penry, who describes it as 'the most beloved Will and Probate Company of Great Britain'.
Mrs. Penry, 61, was a friend of Mrs. Hill, the older woman who was unmarried and had no children.
After Hill, a retired doctor, died, meant an error in the witness of her signature
Mrs. Hill had made a will in 2014 with Mrs. Penry, so that the majority of her legacy left to two goddess, of whom there is one Nicole McFie – also director of the company.
Four years later, however, Hill asked for a new will, who left £ 51,000 to friends, god trips (including MCFIE) and charities.
The rest had to be divided between the charities: half of médecins without Frontières, a quarter of the RNLI, 20% for the Dogs Trust and the rest of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. MCFIE and another director were mentioned as executors.
Mrs. Penry visited Hill's house in Sutton, South Londs, and signed the will as a witness.
However, she took the document back to the company's office, where another staff member signed it.
Because Mrs. Hill was not there for the second signature, it is claimed that the signature was invalid.
Mrs. Hill died in November 2018 and because of the error the New Testament was declared invalid. Probate was granted on the basis of her Will 2014.
RNLI was one of the charities that the donations missed. Image: Stock
However, the charities claim that Mrs. Penry should have had another staff member with her to witness the signature whether a neighbor or member of the public asked to sign it.
The company's website states: 'We are the Go-To Legacy specialists for Will Writing, Probate and LPAs.
'For more than 20 years, thousands of people in the UK have trusted us to tackle their legal needs with personal attention and exceptional efficiency.
“Our advice continues to save people a huge amount of money and heartache.”
MailOnline has approached that Penry was contacted for comment.
Jessica Jamieson, a lawyer at Cripps, warned that writing will can seem simple, but mistakes can be expensive.
She said the newspaper that unclear, outdated or incorrectly executed wills can lead to disputes or invalid.
Add: 'The need for regulation of Will writers is a growing care. Will writing does not remain regulated in England and Wales, which means that everyone can offer the service, regardless of the qualifications. '
