I expect you have seen on the news where a person has been awarded a substantial amount of money from her mother's estate, despite not being named in the will.
Evidently there was a split between her and her mother years ago. So she contested the will and the judge found in her favour.
Sorry, I don't agree with that. What is the point of making a will if it doesn't stand up.
On a similar track, swmbo stands to inherit a substantial amount of money from a relation who died intestate.
Four of our relation will also, by default, each receive a substantial amount, despite the fact they did not know him from Adam.
However, a 'wish list' was found, but is not classed as legal as he never signed it. This list names 8 people who he wanted to have a certain figure. One of those people was swmbo. Also named were some aeronautical charities who would benefit from the residue.
Four people and the charities on the 'wish list' will lose out to the aforementioned people. But we have no right to challenge, and allow the monies to go where the deceased wished.
Before anyone thinks we are on the grab, swmbo will receive the amount her cousin wanted her to have, whether intestate rules or if the 'wish list' was legal.
It seems strange a dead persons wishes are not adhered to.
And, as a footnote, it shows how important it is to make a will (and make it clear and for what reasons you exclude close family members.)