Predatory Marriage – Why it matters to private client advisors. 9 February 2023

“Your mother and her man-friend – did you know they were married?”

So, with a phone call from Joan Blass’s doctor, began a horrific series of events which highlighted gaps in safeguarding for the elderly and the vulnerable – both at the time of marriage and with regard to legal protection generally.

The daughter of Joan Blass – Daphne Franks – tells the story of a secret marriage, a revoked will, and an unmarked grave, grooming, gaslighting, a Private Member’s Bill and the campaign to highlight all of the issues.

Stephen Lawson, Contentious Probate lawyer at Taylor Rose MW, will deal with some of the legal issues arising and the campaign to revoke Section 18 of the Wills Act 1837 whereby marriage revokes a will (unless the will was made in contemplation of marriage). This issue is currently being considered by the Law Commission and the views of delegates are important to the development of the law.

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