SELF-MADE WILL

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 June 1937, Page 13

SELF-MADE WILL

JUDGE DECIDES QUESTIONS. Ten counsel were recently engaged in the Chancery Division concerning the self-made will of Sir Frederick Norman, of Runcorn, in which he—- “ Begged that there .shall be no litigation about mv affairs" and directed that, “any difficulty which cannot bo amicably settled shall be referred to some friendly outsider whose decision shall be final." Sir Frederick, who died nine month.-; ago. left estate to the value of £87.000. There were 29 defendants. The plaintiff was an executor, the Rev. Charles Ernest Norman. Methodist minister.

Sir Frederick “desired to keep green the memory of my first wile and to make ample provision of a generous character for the future of my second wife to keep her in the refinement and simplicity observed during my life." Mr. Justice Crossman held (hat he meant to provide Lady Norman with an annual income sufficient to suppi) her needs and not (o make her an out-and-out gift of capital. It was agreed that Lady Norman should receive £l,OOO a year free of tax.

He held void for uncertainty a gift of £2OO to (ho "Liberal Barty, local or national." There was nothing to show what Liberal Barty was referred to — Simonite or Sainuelitc —and no locality was indicated: it might be Runcorn, Liverpool or Manchester. He decided that a legacy of £2.000 to Runcorn Rural Council for "worthy citizens worsted in life's battle, was valid.

A gift of I'2.oii() to Runcorn Nursing Association for the “sick and sad" was also held to oe a valid charitable bequest. A legacy of £2.000 to the local education authority for the benefit oi poor scholars was directed to be paid to Cheshire County Council.