This case relates to an estate which comprises of a farmhouse, cottage, land, helicopter and two companies renting out various properties (value £4 million).
The deceased left a Will in which the estate was divided 25% to his wife and then 25% to each of his 3 daughters. The wife issued a claim for reasonable financial provision. At an early stage the client was advised to put forward a Part 36 Offer for the wife to receive 50% of the estate. This matter settled 2 days before trial, on very good terms for our client, whereby the wife received less than 50% of the estate. The case highlighted the importance of making an appropriate Part 36 Offer at the very beginning of the case where the claimant had good prospects of succeeding.
If this claim had proceeded to a final hearing it would have been in the press. The case represents a good example of making a sensible Part 36 Offer early on and sticking to that offer throughout in order to protect the clients on the issue of costs.
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