3 Nov 2023
The sold-out Probate Bar Association (PBA) Annual Conference took place on November 3. The theme of the day was s. 117 of the Succession Act 1965, which provides for a child’s right to bring a claim against a parent’s estate that ‘proper provision’ has not been made.
The sold-out Probate Bar Association (PBA) Annual Conference took place on November 3. The theme of the day was s. 117 of the Succession Act 1965, which provides for a child’s right to bring a claim against a parent’s estate that ‘proper provision’ has not been made. Attendees heard the perspectives of judges, barristers, solicitors, tax practitioners, and the Probate Office of the Courts Service over the course of the afternoon on how to manage or prevent section 117 claims. The conference was kindly sponsored by Finders International. Among the speakers was solicitor Susan Martin, who spoke on ‘Practical Issues when Defending a Section 117 Claim’. On defending such claims, Susan commented: “Are you carrying enough PII insurance to cover the value of the entire estate?” She also advised taking photo ID of the testator on the creation of a will, saying: “Better looking at it than looking for it”.