Unusual Legacy To Mourners

An unusual request highlights the importance of obtaining professional advice when drafting Wills. The gentleman concerned is not our client and is still alive.

On first consideration, Mr X's generous decision to leave one third of his estate equally among everyone who attends his funeral sounds a wonderful surprise for them. However, such a clause could fail for uncertainty.

Mr X's request as worded by him has many uncertainties, which could cause it to be invalid, such as:-

Would the vicar or funeral directors be entitled to a share? What if an individual arrives late to the funeral or leaves early? Is 'funeral' the church service? or the interment? or funeral tea? What if...