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ARTICLE · 21 MAY 2023

What Does It Take To Prove Will Forgery?

Myerson Solicitors LLP
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In the recent High Court case of Carlton Watts v Watts, the Claimant sued his 92-year-old mother (Jobyna), alleging she had forged his late father's Will.

United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial
Myerson Solicitors LLP
Myerson Solicitors LLP

In the recent High Court case of Carlton Watts v Watts, the Claimant (Carlton) sued his 92-year-old mother (Jobyna), alleging she had forged his late father's Will.

By his 2000 Will, the late Eustace Watts had left his entire estate to Jobyna, his wife of 45 years. His previous Will of 1994 had purportedly left his son Carlton Aldo Watts one-third of his estate.

If forgery could be proved, the 2000 Will would be invalid, and the 1994 Will would take effect. In this article, our Contentious Probate Experts explore why Carlton's claim failed.

The details of the case

A challenge to a Will based on forgery is a very serious fraud allegation; the standard of proof is necessarily high. Handwriting evidence is often pivotal in cases where forgery is alleged.

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