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DNA Test Ensures Care Work Can Inherit Country Estate

Posted on by Jonny

After a long battle, a care worker will inherit a 1,536-acre National Trust estate. This results after a DNA test for inheritance shows that he was the rightful heir.

John Adlard Rogers rightfully inherits the Penrose National Trust estate, one of Britain’s finest estates. Rogers, 31, was finally able to prove that he was the illegitimate son of the previous owner, Charles Rogers. The test confirms John Rogers’ long-held claim that he was Charles Rogers’ son.

A long line of owners uprooted by DNA test for inheritance

Charles Rogers was the last in a long line of aristocratic owners who had owned the estate for generations. Since he was eight years old, Jordan suspects that Mr Rogers was his father since the age of 8. However, his requests for a DNA test were always subject to denial.

But then Mr Rogers died due to health reasons involving drug use in August 2018 at the age of 62. Subsequently, Jordan was finally able to take the DNA test. The results prove that he was indeed the rightful heir.

Jordan admits to struggles with making ends meet on his salary as a care worker for many years. He has now moved into the large house, located between Porthleven and Helston in Cornwall. The Rogers family gave the property to the National Trust in 1974 in return for a 1,000-year lease so they could continue to live there.

The family’s Trust generates income by renting land to local farmers and by investing in stocks and shares. This produces a substantial income for the tenant of Penrose, which means Jordan no longer needs to work. Jordan Rogers has recently become a father for the first time.

With the new inheritance, he has already made a couple of notable purchases:

  • The installation of an outdoor gym.
  • A brand new Mercedes C63.

In a Facebook post, Jordan displays a photo of his brand new home. Rogers says that it has been, ‘a hard three months of fighting for what is truly mine.’

He also adds:

‘I’m sure there will be lots family barbecues in the future I also have a tennis court.’

‘Maybe then he might have taken a different path.’

Despite his new-found wealth, Jordan claims he would give it up if he could have been closer to his father. Perhaps owing to his care worker mindset, Jordan says he wishes he could have helped Charles turn his life away from the drug abuse which ultimately led to his death.

Charles Rogers waged a battle with drug addiction for several years. In the months before his death, he was neglecting to take care of himself in terms of both hygiene and nutrition. An inquest heard that the testator was sleeping in his car. This instead of his Grade II listed home in which he lived. The car is where he was found dead due to drug intoxication.

Jordan spoke of the issues that may have exacerbated his drug use.

‘There was always a pressure of him trying to match expectation,’ he says. ‘His brother was an RAF pilot and his dad a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy. So he had big shoes to fill.’

‘Charles served in the Army in Northern Ireland, and I think this affected him greatly along with the death of his brother Nigel from cancer who he was very close to.’

Jordan adds:

‘People say I’m lucky. But I would trade anything to be able to go back and for Charles to know I was his son. Maybe then he might have taken a different path.’

Perhaps you would like to discuss an inheritance issue regarding a similar situation. Alternatively, this story might have an effect on you. Reach out to us: it’s in your best interest to get in contact with us at The Inheritance Experts where we can discuss your issue or requirement.

What Factors Go Into Challenging a Will?

Posted on by Jonny

So what factors for challenging a will can affect your case?

If you’re an upset beneficiary or believe you have grounds to contest a will, you need to know. Because the results can be concerning and difficult to organise if you do not have the correct advice and knowledge behind you.

However, this guide will enable you to understand the basics of challenging a will. Moreover, you’ll know what to do if the unfortunate circumstances arise that force you to do this.

Factors for Challenging a Will

Certain will challenging factors involve specific grounds. The four legal grounds for contesting a will include:

  • Undue influence: The testator was influenced by a beneficiary or on a beneficiaries’ behalf to change the will in their favour. Or they influence the testator to believe ill of another beneficiary. Sudden changes to the will can often prove this.
  • Lack of capacity: The testator lacks the necessary capacity to understand or know the document they were signing. It can be due to illnesses such as dementia, or even as simple as the testator being deaf on signing the will.
  • An invalid will: The will may be invalid if the signature is not valid. Or if there were no witnesses to the signing of the will.
  • Forgery: All or part of the will may have been forged, for instance, the signature. Forgery even includes cases in which the original will has been lost or replaced unnecessarily.

However, you may also be able to challenge a will:

  • If you were a beneficiary in a previous will.
  • Or if you were financially dependent on the testator and provision was not made for you and your family.
  • You can also challenge executor of the will if you believe that they have been mismanaging the estate in the testator’s name.

How to Challenge a Will

You should seek immediate legal advice from a lawyer as to whether your evidence is strong enough to file an official claim, and they can also give you legal advice on the best way to enact this. Then, you should file a complaint to the probate court before the correct time limits, which can be between six months and 12 years depending on your circumstances and the nature of your claim.

Who can Challenge a Will?

Spouses can challenge the will, as well as former spouse or a partner who has been co-inhabiting with the testator for at least two years.

You can also contest a will if you are a:

  • blood relation;
  • someone considered a relation by the testator, such as an adoptee;
  • beneficiary;
  • a beneficiary in a previous will;
  • someone who has reason to believe that the testator promised them a gift before their passing.

You can also challenge the will if you’re a disinherited heir or relation. For instance, as a sibling or child, as you may still have legal claims over their property and possessions in these cases.

Please note that challenging a will can be a distressing time for families. However, there exist many grounds to contest a will if you are a relation or have reason to believe that the will is not valid.

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