John was 20 years old when his mother died by suicide.  She was separated from her civil partner and had been the victim of alleged domestic violence. As a result, John had left home at a young age and hadn’t been able to see much of his mother.  She died without a Will and the intestacy rules applied.  As she was in a civil partnership which hadn’t been dissolved by the time of her death, her estate passed to her abusive partner; John would have been entitled to only a very small amount from the estate.  Although John was awarded £20,000 from his late mother’s pension fund, he was otherwise without any means.  He strongly suspected that his mother had been the victim of financial abuse during the course of her relationship.  We investigated but it was difficult to find evidence as the abuse spanned many years and a complex series of house purchases and loans.  We issued proceedings at court under the Inheritance Act and after a long battle, settled the case at a mediation.  We acted on a no win no fee basis. 

Sarah Young – Director & Solicitor