VitalWills - Will Writing Malaysia

Golda Bechal, a wealthy property owner from London, died in 2004, leaving most of her £10m fortune to a Chinese restaurant owner, Mr. Man Kim Sing and his wife Man Bee Lian. Obviously her family challenged her Will in the High Court.

Golda husband and son had died much earlier in the 1970s, so her remaining relatives are several nieces and nephews. They went to court to have her Will declared invalid, claiming she was not of sound mind when she made the Will ten years prior to her death.

The judge upheld the earlier judgment based on the evidence presented. Golda spent a lot of time with Man’s family. Their friendship span over 40 years and Golda became part of Mr and Mrs Man’s family, taking part in many get togethers and vacations together. In family photos, she was like the grandmother to the family.

Golda had specifically told Mr Man and his wife, that she did not want to leave her fortune to her family, who she thought were only after her money. Mr and Mrs Man testified that they were not present when the Will was drawn up. If the judge had ruled the Will invalid, the nieces and nephews would inherit the properties under intestacy.

While this is unfortunate for the family members, it goes to show that blood ties do not necessarily mean automatic inheritance. In this case, Golda Bechal have good reason not to let her family inherit her estate and her decision stood even when her Will was contested.

Writing a Will means you decide who deserves to inherit your estate. There are situation where is best not to give anything to your relatives, for whatever reason. A Will is the way to do so.

Tags: contested will