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Statewide support for Will legislation changesGippsland East Independent MP, Craig Ingram, recently called on the State Government to introduce legislation to recognise the wishes of individuals as expressed in their legal Will. By Craig Ingram - 30th January 2004 - Back to News Mr Ingram said today that people from throughout the state had contacted his office to offer their support.
"In response to my calls for limitations on Will challenges, I have received a large number of calls and letters from individuals that have been caught up in the legal system when members of their family have passed away," Mr Ingram said.
"It has come to my attention that the problem has been compounded by the practice of ruling both sides’ legal costs in disputes against the estate, meaning that a challenger has almost no financial risk.
"The wishes of a person of sound mind, as expressed in their Will, should be honoured," Mr Ingram said.
"The current legal advertising calling on people to challenge a Will and the greed that is occasionally associated with the passing of a member of someone’s family or relative is not healthy for society.
"The problem could be solved by state legislation legally recognising an individual’s last Will and Testament, and limiting contestability to dependent spouses and direct dependent offspring if the need arises.
"When a person makes a Will they expect it to be honoured and not just become a lawyers’ picnic," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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