Are last wills just devisive? - General Discussion

lemoncurd · 11-02-2007, 14:31

In the past couple of weeks, there have been two news stories about late celebrities leaving no or little estate to close family members. George Best left just a watch from his £500,000 estate to his son, Calum:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1773

And more recently, it transpires that Fred Dibnah left nothing of his £1m+ estate to his wife (for which she is contesting `reasonable provision'):

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/a...ill/article.do

In the latter case, it seems that a lot of dirty laundry may be aired in the media spotlight.

Is there anyone here who has made a will, but has deliberately decided to leave someone out, who might otherwise `expect' something, for the sake of say an argument?

It strikes me that if I were to dislike a family member that much, rather than cause family tension and public comment, I'd rather just leave it all to a favourite charity.

fluffybunyip · 11-02-2007, 14:33

I wouldn't leave nothing to my family. As it stands at the moment, the only thing in my will are provisions for my children and who they go to!

But if I had wealth, it'd go to my husband - or if he died before me, split between my 3 kids. I don't understand why people would do that to their family.

davidseven · 11-02-2007, 16:30

Get even....Die in debt.

MelBlanc22 · 11-02-2007, 16:55

I believe you should earn your own way in life, those who sit waiting for relatives to croak it so they can sell property and split cash make me nauseous.

If I ever have a fortune to leave it'll go to to the cats home.

lemoncurd · 11-02-2007, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidseven

Get even....Die in debt.

Now, are you allowed to apportion debt to specific people in a will? That could be ripe for all sorts of japes!

eunicelouise658 · 11-02-2007, 16:57

I think the two cases mentioned are different. I think perhaps George Best will leaves what is left after debts are cleared to his sister to carry on the charitable work. Calum probably makes money from public appearances and reality tv shows ect that are all trading on his father skill and noteriety and so he has been left his own legacy, in a way. The Fred Dibnah case is more complicated and I am sure could get messy. Does his estate include the home he and his wife shared? Is she left without a home or income by the will change? I think she could have a case for saying she has not been reasonably cared for. Look at the mess the will in the Anna Nicole Smith case has caused and even after her death is causing.

MelBlanc22 · 11-02-2007, 16:58

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/a...ill/article.do

Fred Dibnahs wife says she should get a 'reward' for nursing him. So it she didn't nurse him because she loved and cherished him then.

lemoncurd · 11-02-2007, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelBlanc22

I believe you should earn your own way in life, those who sit waiting for relatives to croak it so they can sell property and split cash make me nauseous.

If I ever have a fortune to leave it'll go to to the cats home.

I know lots of people who say this. The irony is that we denigrate certain people as being gold-diggers, when really our feline `friends' have spent their lives being all cutesy, and having to put up with snuggling up to us and moronically batting around mundane inanimate objects for our entertainment....all for ulterior motives. Now....now the felines sit back in their lovely cat homes, rubbing their paws together with glee, just waiting for their inheritance to roll in! They make me sick, the conniving little critters!

lemoncurd · 11-02-2007, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by eunicelouise658

The Fred Dibnah case is more complicated and I am sure could get messy. Does his estate include the home he and his wife shared? Is she left without a home or income by the will change?

No, Sheila Dibnah hasn't been left the home. I get the impression this is what has upset her most. There is some sub-text to the case which isn't yet public - it sounds as though some pressure was brought to bear on Fred to sign a Will he made in 2003 after a row with Sheila.

MelBlanc22 · 11-02-2007, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemoncurd

I know lots of people who say this. The irony is that we denigrate certain people as being gold-diggers, when really our feline `friends' have spent their lives being all cutesy, and having to put up with snuggling up to us and moronically batting around mundane inanimate objects for our entertainment....all for ulterior motives. Now....now the felines sit back in their lovely cat homes, rubbing their paws together with glee, just waiting for their inheritance to roll in! They make me sick, the conniving little critters!

LOL

very funny

Sloopy · 11-02-2007, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemoncurd

I know lots of people who say this. The irony is that we denigrate certain people as being gold-diggers, when really our feline `friends' have spent their lives being all cutesy, and having to put up with snuggling up to us and moronically batting around mundane inanimate objects for our entertainment....all for ulterior motives. Now....now the felines sit back in their lovely cat homes, rubbing their paws together with glee, just waiting for their inheritance to roll in! They make me sick, the conniving little critters!

Now you come to mention it, my cat has been giving me the 'evil eye' lately

TheInspector · 11-02-2007, 18:17

You should make sure you die with little to your name as it's better in the long run for any relatives left behind.

11-02-2007, 14:31	#1
lemoncurd Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Gender: Male Location: Bristol Services: Freeview (Fusion FVRT200 DVR); BeUnlimited 8Mb Posts: 23,298 Blog Entries: 1	Are last wills just devisive? In the past couple of weeks, there have been two news stories about late celebrities leaving no or little estate to close family members. George Best left just a watch from his £500,000 estate to his son, Calum: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1773 And more recently, it transpires that Fred Dibnah left nothing of his £1m+ estate to his wife (for which she is contesting `reasonable provision'): http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/a...ill/article.do In the latter case, it seems that a lot of dirty laundry may be aired in the media spotlight. Is there anyone here who has made a will, but has deliberately decided to leave someone out, who might otherwise `expect' something, for the sake of say an argument? It strikes me that if I were to dislike a family member that much, rather than cause family tension and public comment, I'd rather just leave it all to a favourite charity.

11-02-2007, 14:33	#2
fluffybunyip Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Gender: Female Location: Southampton Posts: 3,211	I wouldn't leave nothing to my family. As it stands at the moment, the only thing in my will are provisions for my children and who they go to! But if I had wealth, it'd go to my husband - or if he died before me, split between my 3 kids. I don't understand why people would do that to their family.

11-02-2007, 16:30	#3
davidseven Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 2,366	Get even....Die in debt.

11-02-2007, 16:55	#4
MelBlanc22 Banned User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Services: Team Charley Posts: 3,248	I believe you should earn your own way in life, those who sit waiting for relatives to croak it so they can sell property and split cash make me nauseous. If I ever have a fortune to leave it'll go to to the cats home.

11-02-2007, 16:57	#6
eunicelouise658 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,738	I think the two cases mentioned are different. I think perhaps George Best will leaves what is left after debts are cleared to his sister to carry on the charitable work. Calum probably makes money from public appearances and reality tv shows ect that are all trading on his father skill and noteriety and so he has been left his own legacy, in a way. The Fred Dibnah case is more complicated and I am sure could get messy. Does his estate include the home he and his wife shared? Is she left without a home or income by the will change? I think she could have a case for saying she has not been reasonably cared for. Look at the mess the will in the Anna Nicole Smith case has caused and even after her death is causing.

11-02-2007, 16:58	#7
MelBlanc22 Banned User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Services: Team Charley Posts: 3,248	http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/a...ill/article.do Fred Dibnahs wife says she should get a 'reward' for nursing him. So it she didn't nurse him because she loved and cherished him then.

11-02-2007, 18:17	#12
TheInspector Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 44	You should make sure you die with little to your name as it's better in the long run for any relatives left behind.