I was recently in a Supreme Court mediation in relation to a deceased estate from 10.30am until 3.30pm, without a break for a coffee or lunch! Surprisingly, neither the clients nor I felt that hungry.
The enemy was seeking a 300% increase in a gift from a deceased estate, all of which would come out of my client’s share. Like 98% of Supreme Court cases, we settled. In this case, for a 75% increase in the original gift. My clients left reasonably happy, because would have agreed to an 87.5% increase, but they were mainly relieved. They found the court action and processes very stressful, and with a couple of special needs children, they have enough stress as it is!
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