England and Wales Case Law

Mercy Ofori-Kuma v Victoria Ofori-Kuma and Michaela Fordjor and Karyn Ofori and Delores Ofori (Ofori-Kuma v Ofori (Burial or Cremation))

The High Court dismissed a mother and aunt’s bid to control funeral arrangements, holding the deceased had wished to be cremated and that the children had priority.

• Funeral and cremation arrangements
• Grant of letters of administration
• Inherent jurisdiction
• Section 116 senior courts act 1981
• Non-contentious probate rules 1987 r.22
• Dispute over deceased's wishes

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May & Ors v Middlemas & Anor

May & Ors v Middlemas & Anor [2024] EWHC 2761 (Ch) (04 September 2024)

The High Court held that a disputed 2 January 2020 will was not genuine, finding the signature was not the deceased’s and directing intestacy.

• Forgery of will
• Validity of will
• Intestacy
• Standard of proof in civil fraud
• Grant of letters of administration
• Probate

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Patricia Kelly-Lambo v Esther Olufunmilayo Lambo

The High Court granted letters of administration to Patricia Kelly-Lambo, finding she was the deceased’s surviving spouse and that the alleged divorce was not proved.

• Grant of letters of administration
• Intestacy
• Surviving spouse
• Rectification of death certificate
• Probate
• Surviving-spouse

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Kelly-Lambo v Lambo

Kelly-Lambo v Lambo [2022] EWHC 2672 (Ch) (21 October 2022)

The High Court granted letters of administration to Patricia Kelly-Lambo alone, finding no proved divorce and no sufficient basis for the defendant’s competing claim.

• Grant of letters of administration
• Intestacy
• Surviving spouse
• Rectification of death certificate
• Section 116 senior courts act 1981
• Probate

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