A simple mistake with a signature on a will has caused leading charities to lose out on a £1 million donation, while the director of the will-writing service received half of the estate.
Rosemary Hill, 88, used Legal Love Letters to write a new will just days before her death, leaving most of her wealth to Médecins Sans Frontières, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dogs Trust, and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
After Ms Hill, a retired doctor, died, an error in witnessing her signature meant the charities missed out completely.
This resulted in half of her estate going to one of her goddaughters, who is also a director at Legal Love Letters.
The charities have filed a legal claim against the company, officially called Will & Probate Company, for professional negligence, the Times reports.
The firm, based in Carshalton, south London, is owned by Cheryl Penry, who describes it as ‘Britain’s best-loved will and probate company.’
Ms Penry, 61, was a friend of Ms Hill, the older woman who was unmarried and had no children.
After Hill, a retired doctor, passed away, an error in witnessing her signature meant the charities missed out completely
Ms Hill had made a will with Ms Penry in 2014, leaving most of her estate to two goddaughters, one of whom is Nicole McFie – also a director at the company.
However, four years later, Hill asked for a new will, leaving £51,000 to friends, godchildren (including McFie), and charities.
The rest was to be split between the charities: half to Médecins Sans Frontières, a quarter to the RNLI, 20% to the Dogs Trust, and the remainder to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. McFie and another director were named as executors.
Ms Penry visited Hill’s home in Sutton, south London, and signed the will as a witness.
However, she then took the document back to the company’s office, where another staff member signed it.
Since Ms Hill wasn’t there for the second signature, it is claimed the signature was invalid.
Ms Hill died in November 2018, and due to the error, the new will was ruled invalid. Probate was granted based on her 2014 will.
RNLI was one of the charities who missed out on the donations. Picture: Stock
However, the charities argue that Ms Penry should have had another staff member with her to witness the signature or asked a neighbour or member of the public 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 around the UK have trusted us to handle their legal needs with personal attention and exceptional efficiency.
‘Our advice continues to save people an enormous amount of money and heartache.’
MailOnline has approached Penry for comment.
Jessica Jamieson, a lawyer at Cripps, warned that will-writing can seem simple, but mistakes can be expensive.
She told the newspaper that unclear, outdated, or wrongly executed wills can lead to disputes or be declared invalid.
Adding: ‘The need for regulation of will writers is a growing concern. Will writing remains unregulated in England and Wales, meaning anyone can offer the service, regardless of qualifications.’
