Undue influence and wills

One thing I always must be acutely aware of is an elderly person making a will under the influence of another.

Alarm bells will go off in my head when I see certain things from the arranging of the appointment to the consultation/meeting with the person wanting to put their affairs in order.

It is not difficult for an elderly person to be led or nudged in a particular direction. Especially when they are dependent on another for their day to day needs.

And on a human level it is incumbent on me to ascertain, in any way I can, if they know exactly what they are doing and the consequences.

Some of these meetings can lead to an awkward situation when I am asking the ‘helper’ to step outside for a while and give me some time alone with the testator.

But it must be done, even though it can sometimes cause offence or feathers to be ruffled.

Learn more about making a will here.