A woman who was cut out of her mother's will has been awarded £164,000 in a landmark Court of Appeal ruling that could weaken people's right to leave money to whomever they choose.
Heather Ilott, 54, from Ware, Hertfordshire, was left nothing when her mother Melita Jackson died in 2004, leaving her £486,000 estate to animal charities including the RSPCA, RSPB and Blue Cross. The court heard that Mrs Ilott had eloped at age 17, and her mother never forgave her.
The Court of Appeal ruled that Mrs Jackson had not made 'reasonable provision' for her daughter, describing her actions as 'unreasonable, capricious and harsh'. Mrs Ilott, who has five children, plans to use the inheritance to buy her housing association home.
Legal experts say the ruling means that while people can still disinherit their children, they must explain why and justify their connection to those they do leave money to, making it easier for adult children to challenge wills.
The three charities expressed surprise and disappointment, while the solicitor representing them called it a 'worrying decision for anyone who values having the freedom to choose who will receive their property when they die'.
