Legal News | 9.04.26
No Laughing Matter
After nearly a decade, last month saw the High Court finally rule on the Will of comedian, Sean Hughes. The case is a stark reminder of the risks of making a homemade Will.
The comedian died in 2017 and prior to his death had used an online platform to draft his Will. In that Will, Hughes left his “three houses” to the homelessness charity, Shelter. Whilst one of these three houses was held by Hughes personally, two were owned through a company in which the comedian was sole shareholder. Although Hughes’ family agreed that the properties should pass to Shelter, the case still required Court intervention to rule on the correct construction of the Will.
The High Court ultimately concluded that the company shares should pass to Shelter (as this reflected what Hughes intended) but the case demonstrates the significant cost and delay which can result from an ambiguously drafted Will.
How we can help
When it comes to drafting your own Will, professional advice from a solicitor is paramount. A solicitor can ensure:
- your Will reflects your wishes and is accurately drafted;
- your estate is structured to ensure your assets are protected for future generations and in a tax efficient manner;
- that more complex assets within your estate are dealt with appropriately;
- the risk of future disputes or claims against your estate is minimised; and
- your Will is validly executed and safely stored.
If you would like to discuss your own Will with the Private Client team at Wansbroughs, please contact wealth@wansbroughs.com.
