Will and Power of attorney query

[amber80]

My grandmother has recently passed away and myself and my sister are concerned as she had always maintained that her estate would be split 50/50 with us and another family member (this family member has POA). Since her passing it appears her will was changed a couple of years ago and is totally different to what she had stated and the family member with the POA is the main beneficiary.
My question is this, is there anyway we can find out what type and when the POA was granted and also can a will be changed after the grant of POA to benefit them. I do not want to cause a rift in the family but having viewed my late grandfather's will it would appear her previous one (which was the same) left us 80 percent and the POA 20 percent. Any advice would be welcome, I suspect everything will be in order but we have a niggling doubt and would just like our minds putting to rest. Thanks in advance.

[stevemLS]

Re: Will and Power of attorney query

Hi and welcome

You can use this form to search the OPG register of EPA/LPAs, https://www.gov.uk/government/upload..._registers.pdf, there is no fee.

A will can be changed after a POA has been given, provided the testator retains the mental capacity to do so. Did your grandmother suffer from any condition that affected her ability to make decisions?

Provided the necessary capacity was maintained, and it is a statutory presumption that it was, unless you can show that the now main beneficiary exerted undue influence, the later Will will stand.

Family disputes over Wills can and do tear families apart and can be ruinously expensive.