Who am I? 

My name is John Clitheroe.  I have two young daughters aged 7 and 12.

Summary 

In May 2020, the High Court ruled my late mother’s two Wills were both invalid because she lacked mental capacity, but I know she was of sound mind. I believe the judgment is wrong and I need your help to reverse the decision.

Medical experts who read 40 years of her medical notes agreed there was nothing in them to suggest she had at any time suffered a cognitive impairment, and she was known by everyone in her life to have a strong character. It’s not right that both of her two Wills, which were prepared by solicitors, three years apart, were consistent and supported by a detailed letter of wishes were declared invalid.

It has been totally draining for us, on top of dealing with the loss of my mother, who I looked after throughout her later years, as well as my sister Debs who tragically died in 2009, who is in the picture with me and my mother.

Call to action 

I have instructed specialist lawyers at law firm Irwin Mitchell to help prove my mother was mentally sound when she made her Wills. They want to support me every step of the way with my case, but I need your help to make this happen.

What are we trying to achieve? 

I need to appeal the decision to reverse it so my mother's Wills can be reinstated.  I want her testamentary wishes, which she went to extensive efforts to record, to be recognised as valid. And this decision doesn't just affect me.  This is about testamentary freedom and how far the state should be allowed to interfere in that freedom.

What is the next step in the case? 

We now need to prepare the detailed grounds of appeal, obtain permission to appeal and win the appeal.

How much we are raising and why? 

I would like to raise £10,000 to help against my legal fees, but in particular to pay for court fees and disbursements because the decision has left me with nothing.

If you could help me, I would be very grateful.  Thank you.

John