A dramatic family conflict has emerged following the death of 92-year-old Carry Keats, who made headlines by tearing up most of her will just before she passed away.
This unexpected act has led to a High Court battle over her estate, valued at approximately £800,000.
The tension revolves around Carry’s complicated relationships, particularly with her younger sister, Josephine Oakley, and five distant cousins, each vying for their share of the fortune.
A Dramatic Act on Her Deathbed
In her final days in a Wiltshire hospital, Carry physically ripped through three-quarters of her will, creating a legal conundrum.
Under a Victorian law from 1837, an individual can revoke their will by tearing it up, provided certain conditions are met.
If the court determines that Carry effectively destroyed the document, her entire estate will go to Josephine, who maintained a close yet tumultuous relationship with her sister.
The cousins, however, argue that Carry intended to leave Josephine nothing, claiming she was unhappy with past allegations of infidelity against her sister.
They are challenging the validity of the will’s destruction, asserting that Carry was too weak to complete the act of tearing it up.
The High Court Challenge
The cousins, led by David Crew, argue that Carry did not revoke her will effectively because she was only able to rip it three-quarters of the way through.
They assert that the remainder was torn at the request of her solicitor, Hafwen Webb.
During the court proceedings, questions arose about whether Carry had the mental capacity to make such a significant decision while medicated and in pain.
Despite these challenges, Josephine maintains that her sister was fully aware of her actions and intentionally chose to exclude her cousins from the inheritance due to their previous suggestions of putting her in a nursing home.
This situation has sparked a fierce legal battle, highlighting the complexities of family dynamics in matters of inheritance.
A Closer Look at Family Dynamics
The court heard that Carry had developed a closer bond with Josephine in her later years, contrasting with her estrangement from her cousins.
Josephine described taking care of her sister by bringing her meals and visiting her regularly during her illness.
Meanwhile, Carry had grown frustrated with David Crew and his sister Angela, particularly after they indicated they might force her into a care facility if her health declined further.
These changes in relationships culminated in the moment when Carry summoned her solicitor to her hospital bedside and tore her will apart, setting the stage for the ensuing legal drama.
Legal Arguments and Counterarguments
During the proceedings, the legal arguments unfolded regarding whether Carry had legally revoked her will.
David Crew’s side contended that she lacked the mental capacity to make such a decision due to her condition.
They questioned whether the act of tearing the will was fully executed by Carry herself or if it was merely completed by her solicitor, which could invalidate the revocation.
In response, Josephine’s barrister asserted that Carry’s stubbornness and strong will were well-known traits, and she had expressed a clear desire to disinherit her cousins.
Josephine’s team presented evidence that Carry had been frustrated with her cousins’ behavior, believing she was justified in her decision to leave them out of her will.
Final Thoughts
As the High Court prepares to issue a ruling on this complicated case, the dispute over Carry Keats’ inheritance has revealed not only family tensions but also the intricacies of the law surrounding wills and estates.
The outcome will ultimately determine whether Carry’s last wishes will be honored or if her cousins will receive a portion of her significant fortune.