Rothley Law acted in a high-profile court dispute in which Jenna Howe successfully received £125,000 from her late father’s estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, despite being excluded from his will.
This case involves a complex family situation where the father had a strained relationship with his daughter. Initially, she tried to challenge the will, claiming a witness’s signature was forged, but after a lengthy legal battle, she dropped the challenge and faced a costs order of £42,000.
She then made a claim under the Inheritance Act for reasonable financial provision. The court ultimately ruled in her favour, awarding her money for paying off debts, buying essential items like a car, covering her health needs (including therapy and breast implants), and a sum to address her income shortfall for the next ten years. The judge considered the estrangement and the daughter’s past behaviour but found that her health issues, which prevented her from working, warranted financial support. The award was placed in a trust to ensure it’s used responsibly.
This case marks a shift in how courts handle claims from estranged adult children, showing that even if a child is not mentioned in a will, they may still receive financial support if they can prove a legitimate need. It also highlights the growing view that conduct in these cases is often not as significant as some might think.
Our firm played a crucial role in helping Jenna navigate a complex legal battle. Initially, she faced difficulties when her original solicitor withdrew, and a key witness in her case passed away. However, after switching to us, we assisted her in applying to present new evidence and focused on supporting her by shifting focus to a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
Throughout the process, our firm handled the complexities of estate value, the claimant’s health needs, and ensuring the award was structured in a way that protected her future interests (e.g., through a discretionary trust). Our guidance was essential in ensuring that Jenna received the financial provision she needed, despite the challenges posed by her estranged relationship with her father and her previous legal battles.
This case has been covered extensively in the media: read more here Daily Mail, The Mirror, The Telegraph, and The Sun.
Contact: Andrew Bishop on 07740 173035 or at andrew.bishop@rothleylaw.com.
