Validity of Wills Flashcards

1
Q

How does joint property pass on death?

A

If it is held by more than one person as beneficial joint tenants, upon the death of one their interest passes by survivorship to the surviving joint tenant

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2
Q

How does property pass for tenants in common?

A

Under their will/intestacy rules

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3
Q

How do insurance police pass on death?

A

The deceased’s PR will distribute it according to the will or intestacy rules

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4
Q

How do pension benefits pass after death?

A

Family or dependants chosen at the trustee’s disscretion

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5
Q

How does trust property pass on death?

A

The trust property will devolve according to the terms of the trust and not the deceased life tenant’s will

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6
Q

What is a specific gift?

A

Specific items which the testator owns

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7
Q

What are general gifts?

A

Items corresponding to a description

If T does not own the item at death, the executor must obtain the item using funds from the estate e.g shares

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8
Q

What is a demonstrative gift?

A

General in nature but is directed to. be paid from a specific fund e.g, paid from a bank account

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9
Q

What is pecuniary gift?

A

Gift money

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10
Q

What is a residuary gift?

A

All the money and property left after the testator’s debts. the expenses of dealing with the estate and the other gifts made under the will have all been paid

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11
Q

What are the 3 requirements of a will?

A

Capacity, intention and formalities

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12
Q

What is the definition of testamentary capacity?

A

‘Soundness of mind, memory and understanding’

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13
Q

What must testators understand when they create a will?

A
  1. The fact that they are making a will which will have effect on their death
  2. The extent of their proeprty
  3. Moral claims to be considered
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14
Q

When must testator’s have capacity?

A

At the time they execute their wills

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15
Q

What is the effect is the testator lacks capacity?

A

The will is void

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16
Q

What should a solicitor do if they are preparing a will for a testator whose mental state is in doubt?

A

Follow the golden rule - Solcitor should ask a medical practitioner to provide a written report confirming that the testator has testamentary capacity and ask the dr to witness the will

The solicitor should record their own view of the testator’s capacity in a file notice and keep it on file should someone challenge the will

17
Q

Who has the burden of proof when a will is challenged?

A

The person asserting that the will is valid

18
Q

What is the presumption of capacity?

A

The testator satisfied the mental capacity when making the will

19
Q

When are the courts less likely to find that the testator lacked capacity?

A

When it was prepared by an experienced, independent solicitor who met with the testator and explained the will to them or when a dr witnessed the will per the golden rule

20
Q

What is the meaning of intention?

A

When the will is signed, the testator must have general and specific intention - They must intend to make a will and intend to the particular will that is now being executed

21
Q

What is the presumption of knowledge and approval?

A

A testator who has the capacity and has read and executed the will is presumed to have the requisite knowledge and approval - this presumption does not apply:

  • When T is blind/illiterate/ not personally signing
  • Suspicious circumstances
22
Q

Can a solicitor accept instructions from a third party to draw up a will for T?

A

No, they should interview the T in the absence of a third party to ensure that any will drafted reflects the testator’s wishes

23
Q

How a will be challenged when the T had capacity and approved the contents of the will?

A
  • Force or fear
  • Fraud
  • Undue influence
24
Q

What are the formalities of execution?

A

A will must be

  1. In writing, signed by T (or another)
  2. T must have intended his signature to give effect to the will
  3. Signatures is acknowledge by T in the presence of 2 or more witnesses present at the same time
  4. Each witness either attests and signs the will/ acknowledges his signature in the presence of the testator
25
Q

What is the presumption of due execution?

A

Arises if the will includes a clause which recites that the s.9 formalities were observed

i.e, when the will includes a clause like ‘ signed by the T in our joint presence and then by us in hers’ - this is an attestation clause which means anyone challenging the validity of the will on the ground that it was not validly executed has the burden of proving this

26
Q

Who cannot be a witness?

A
  • Beneficaries
  • The people married to beneficaries