WILL CASE SETTLED

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32384, 25 August 1970, Page 10

WILL CASE SETTLED

Claim Against

Estate

A claim by the two children of a man’s first marriage for a share in his estate, and an application by his widow for a greater provision, were settled out of court after the midday adjournment in the Supreme Court yesterday. Heather Annie Wakelin Rich, of Hawarden, North Canterbury, and Jill Phyllis Champion Torrance, of Lon? don, England, sought provision under the Family Protection Act from the estate of Thomas Bennett Henry Champion, a company manager, who died in April, 1961, aged 61. The net value of his estate was $59,517. Mr Champion’s first marriage ended by divorce in 1943, and his two children by that marriage, Mesdames Rich and Torrance, did not benefit in any way by his will, their counsel (Mr A. D. Holland) told Mr Justice Wilson. Mr Champion’s widow was left his personal effects, a sum of up to $3OOO to buy a car, and an interest in the residue of the estate income until her death or until her re-marriage. On her death or re-marriage the estate would pass to the four children of the second marriage. Mr Holland said his clients did not wish to attack the provisions made for the widow. They sought provision for the will to be altered to allow all six children an equal share of the estate.

Mr E. J. Somers, who appeared for the executors and trustees of Mr Champion’s will as defendants of the action, said that the net disposable estate after payment of duties and expenses was $51,541. Mr Champion’s widow, Joyce Elizabeth Champion (Mr P. G. S. Pqnlington) sought provision of $3OOO a year until her death or remarriage, on the grounds that her present provision was inadequate to support and maintain her. Mr J. G. Leggat appeared for the four children of the second marriage, Dianne Joy Philip, of Manurewa, Sharie Winifred Cain, of Matamata, Thomas Robert Murray Champion, of Christchurch, and Julie Margaret Champion, of Christchurch.