A pensioner left a builder £500,000 after he fixed his gutter free of charge. Danny Sharp struck up a friendship with Ronald Butcher after waiving a fee for fixing the elderly man's drain as it was a 'nothing job' in 2007.
The builder visited Mr Butcher on an all but weekly basis following the event until his death in 2013.
Although Mr Butcher was to leave his estate and other items to a cousin and two close friends he changed his will to grant Mr Sharp £500,000 in his will omitting those previously included.
Challenging A Will
The friends and cousins of Mr Butcher challenged the will which had been changed two months prior to his death. The friends of Mr Butcher had a copy of his previous will and opted to take the case to the High Court.
Despite the appeal Judge Lesley Anderson QC stated that there was no issue with the will or the late change from Mr Butcher. She described the builder as “a truthful and straightforward witness”.
She said: “I find that Danny was kind to Mr Butcher, calling on him and doing odd jobs for him without charging.
“Mr Butcher indulged his passion for talking and their real shared interest was their mutual chat, banter and human interest stories, such as Archie's success.”
She also stated that there was 'nothing suspicious' about the will, and accusations that the pensioner's signature was a forgery had been disproved by expert handwriting evidence.
Making A Will
The case highlights how vital it is to change your will to match changing circumstances. It is imperative that your will is checked by a solicitor and a copy is given to them and those involved in your will.
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