Businessman Jimmy Swanston assured his younger lover that she would be looked after, after he died, so his mistress knew something was wrong when his will provided her with nothing, when he died.
The man’s son is now in court accused of forging (he has denied this) his late father’s will and depriving Miss Powell of any money from the estate.
Miss Powell, 35 years younger than her former lover, found out that he was worth £26 million, during the start of the court drama. When Mr Swanston died at age 89, she wasn’t even mentioned in the will.
She claims that after she contacted solicitors, it was found that the witness signatures had been faked. Mr Swanston’s son, aged 55, is nominated as the executor of the will. One name is spelt incorrectly and an address is completely made up.
A witness has claimed that the testator (the deceased) wasn’t present when he signed the will.
The co-executor of the will, Derek Smith, an accountant, said the estate was valued nearer to £2.5 million.
This trial continues, but whatever the outcome, it does show that getting your will correctly signed and witnessed is extremely important. If it isn’t, the will, will almost certainly become invalid.
At LSUK, our legal services consultants will always attend every will signing to ensure that no wrong doing or accidental mistake prevents the will from becoming valid.
Filed under: News
An update: The family believed Mr Swanston did not include Ms Powell, in the will because it was a potential embarrassment to Florence, to whom he still remained married.
Instead it was suggested he wanted to leave a seprate payment of £2,000 for Ms Powell who he enjoyed a 14-year relationship with.
On learning of the omission Ms Powell launched a civil action against the estate for £500,000 but eventually settled for £10,000.
Mr Swansons’s son has been cleared of forging any part of the will, in a recent court case.