Partner at Hugh James solicitors,  Matthew Evans has given his reaction to the developments regarding Sir Jimmy Saville's estate. The well known entertainer's estate is currently being disputed by a woman claiming to be his illegitimate daughter. Georgina Ray, 40, claims that her mother had a two week affair with Sir Jimmy in the early 1970s. She is reportedly looking to bring a claim against his estate, estimated to be worth £7.8m. 

Currently, Sir Jimmy Saville's will leaves the majority of his estate to his two charities; the Jimmy Saville Charitable Trust and the Jimmy Saville Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust with some other smaller gifts for friends and family.

Partner Matthew Evans, at leading Welsh law firm Hugh James, said 'Despite the fact that Sir Jimmy made a will and that he may never have met Georgina Ray, if she is his daughter, she is eligible to bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. This act allows certain family members and people who were dependent upon the deceased to bring claims for 'reasonable financial provision' against a person's estate, for instance where that person's will has not made sufficient provision for them.'

Many people are surprised to learn that a person's last wishes can be challenged. This is all the more surprising when the claim is by an adult child who may have been estranged from the deceased for many years. However, the recent Court of Appeal case of Ilott v Mitson confirmed the position. 

This story draws many comparisons to the Ilott v Mitson case; that claim was also by an estranged daughter of the deceased who, like Sir Jimmy, had left the majority of her estate to charities. The court found in that case that the deceased's will had failed to make reasonable provision for Heather Ilott and awarded her approximately 10% of the estate. 

Matthew Evans continued 'Whether or not Georgina Ray pursues her claim remains to be seen. If eligible, Ms Ray would need to show that she requires an amount which is reasonable for her maintenance.'

Hugh James regularly acts for individuals looking to bring or defend claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

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