What are the Challenges to Wills and probate claims: How to disprove a Will ?

It can be difficult task to challenge a Will. In most of the cases, courts stick stringently to Wills, since the testator is no longer there to defend himself. However, if you have an interest in the Will, you can challenge it, and if you are successful in convincing the court, then the Will can be voided in its entirety or in part. It is advisable to seek an advice from a practicing lawyer before challenging the Will, since the law surrounding challenges to a Will is complicated, plus, the facts of each case are unique. The Will can be challenged on any of the following grounds: Lack of due execution: A valid Will has to be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses, who must also attest the Will. If the process is not followed to the hilt, the Will can be challenged in the court of law. Lack of testamentary intention: Here, the person has to prove that the testator had no intention to make a Will, however, this plea is rarely used, as it is difficult to prove. Lack of testamentary capacity: The law requires that people above 18 years can make a Will. Adults are presumed to have a testamentary capacity, and therefore, the Will can be challenged on the basis of senility, dementia, insanity, or that the testator was under the influence of a substance, or in some other way lacked the mental capacity to make a Will. Basically, to challenge a Will based on mental capacity, the challenger of Will must show that the testator (the person who created the will) did not understand the consequences of making the will at the time of its creation. Lack of knowledge or approval: Challenger of Will can take the ground that the testator did not, in fact, know what was in the Will when he signed it. Undue influence: Challenger of Will can challenge a Will by showing that the Will was procured by fraud, forgery, or undue influence, i.e. lack of own free will or without adequate attention as to the consequences of bequests so made under the Will. Fraud or forgery: The burden of proof would be on the challenger of the Will to establish that the Will was forged (not signed by the testator) or was made as a result of fraudulent act. Claims by family: A family member can challenge a Will on the grounds that they were not provided for adequately in the Will. Revocation of earlier Will: A Will, although registered can be challenged in the court of law. The mere fact that a Will has been registered (not mandatory under the law to register the Will) will not, by itself, be sufficient to dispel all suspicions regarding it. A registered Will may not be the last testament. A new Will made, even if unregistered, if valid, will trump the registered Will. If there are any suspicious facts, the court will scrutinize the Will even if it is registered. • Do you need to go through probate if there is a Will? • Can you avoid probate by having a Will ? • How do I apply if there is no Will ? • How to apply for a probate ? For Legal queries Daniel & Daniel Attorneys & Solicitors 2132, Vasantham Colony, Annanagar-West, Chennai-600040 Phone: 9840787702 Email: advocatechennai@gmail