Father Allegedly Suffered From Dementia

A farmer’s son is suing his family for a portion of the £3m farming estate and business his deceased father left to his wife and daughters, with claims from the son that he was promised the farm.

Sam James, son of farmer Allen James, claims that his mother Sandra James pressured his father to change his will before his death. James also states his father suffered from dementia and that his illness was so advanced that he lacked the capacity to make another will, making the will that was drawn up in 2010 invalid.

The son stated his work on the farm’s estate and business for 35 years after leaving school, plus several conversations with his father before he died left him under the impression that he was set to inherit the Pennymore farming estate.

The mother, Sandra James, disputes the claim that her son is due the Pennymore estate as in 2007 the deceased gifted his daughter, Karen James, 193 acres of land from the estate. In 2009 the deceased put £800,000 and the remaining portion of the farm into a joint account between himself and his wife.

Disputes over wills can often be a fraught time for families, particularly if it causes a rift between two previously friendly parties. The importance of creating a valid will becomes even more important while the will holder still has capacity in order to avoid situations where family members might lose access to millions that they believed to be rightfully theirs.

Our dedicated team of solicitors can help you contest a will or defend a claim if you are an executor. Visit our Will Disputes & Contentious Probate page for more information.