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Fraud In Wills
Fraud in wills refers to intentional deceptive actions related to the creation, execution, or administration of a will, aimed at misrepresenting the truth to cause loss or unfair advantage to others. It undermines the genuine wishes of the person who made the will (the testator) and can lead to serious legal consequences, including invalidation of the will.
Key forms of fraud in wills include:
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Fraud in inducement: Occurs when the testator is deceived or coerced into making or changing a will under false pretenses or undue influence, often involving vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or those with cognitive impairments. This can involve pressure from family members, caregivers, or others close to the testator to alter the will's terms unfairly.
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Fraud in execution: Happens when the will is not properly signed or witnessed according to legal requirements, or when signatures are forged or added later without the testator's authorization. This can include forged signatures or failure to follow formal signing procedures, making the will invalid.
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Fraud in probate or trust administration: Involves dishonest actions by personal representatives or trustees, such as misappropriating assets, failing to uphold the will's terms, or commingling estate assets.
Common methods of will fraud include forgery (creating or altering a will without authorization), coercion, and destruction or concealment of valid wills to substitute fraudulent ones that benefit the fraudster.
Signs of a forged or fraudulent will may include suspicious physical characteristics of the document (different paper, ink, or formatting), irregularities in signatures, missing or inconsistent witness attestations, and suspicious timing of the will's creation or changes.
If fraud is proven in court, the will may be declared invalid, and the estate may be distributed according to a previous valid will or intestacy laws.
In summary, fraud in wills involves deceptive practices that compromise the authenticity and integrity of a will, often through forgery, coercion, or improper execution, and it can invalidate the will and disrupt the testator’s true intentions.