Relative vunerable to scam artists: can they be added to will?

M

Mammysboy

Registered User
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Hello,

I have a very vulnerable and elderly relative who is being preyed upon by scam artists. It's a long story which I don't wish to go into but the Gardai are currently involved with regard to a recent incident.

It has occurred to me that the scam artists could or may have already persuaded my vulnerable relative to add them to the will.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Is it likely to happen/be successful that the scam artist could successfully inherit my relative's estate?

Thank you,
Mboy
 
The will or any codicil would have had to be witnessed and a witness cannot be a beneficiary. So one would hope that anyone asked to witness your relatives will would be aware of their vulnerable state.
 
Thank you. Sounds unlikely to be an issue so in my relative's circumstances. As far as I know my relative already has a will in place with a solicitor.
 
Billo said:
Not true. A witness can be a beneiiciary.
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Citizens Info website says a witness cannot gain from a will. The witness does not have to know the contents other than b satisfied the testator has the mental capacity to make the will.
 
nope Billo - fraid you have that wrong - an executor can be a beneficiary, but not a witness.
 
Given the circumstances you might want to consider putting some sort of power of attorney agreement in place if your relative is agreeable
 
Mammysboy said:
. As far as I know my relative already has a will in place with a solicitor.
Click to expand...

A new will would negate this... but a new will in favour of the scam artist and with witnesses outside the family would certainly look wrong, especially given the garda involvement. Make sure their current inquiries are on the record.
 
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