Was it Even His Signature? How to Overturn a Fraudulent Will

“Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing.” (From Aesop’s Fables) Your relative or friend dies, having at the last minute made a new will leaving everything to a new sole heir. You’re suspicious: the deceased was vulnerable, perhaps dying or suffering from dementia, and you’re convinced that they were taken advantage of by a manipulative fraudster. […]

Renegotiating After You’ve Signed: The Email That Ended a Property Sale

“Words are loaded pistols.” (Jean-Paul Sartre) In June 2018 a couple agreed to buy a house for R1.95 million. The sale was subject to two conditions: that they sell another property within ninety days and obtain a bond for the full purchase price. The other property was sold, but the bank approved a bond for […]

Can Family Conflict Kibosh a Trust?

“The palest ink is better than the best memory.” (Chinese proverb) A founder dies and the family disagrees about what should happen to the assets. Then some beneficiaries produce emails proving they know what he wanted to happen. Surely the court can step in and wind up the trust? Not so fast. A recent Supreme […]