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7mo ago

Legal Battle Erupts Over £200,000 Stamp Collection Bequeathed to Cleaner

Ray Watts' stepdaughter challenges the will that left most of his estate to his cleaner, claiming it was not his true intention.

Beverley Neate claims that her stepfather’s cleaner had a hand in making changes to his will that disinherited her
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Overview

  • Ray Watts, a retired bank clerk and philatelist, sold his valuable stamp collection to his cleaner, Sue Pope, for £1 before his death at 90.
  • Watts' 2019 will revision left most of his £250,000 estate to Pope, reducing his stepdaughter Beverley Neate's share to a nominal £1.
  • Neate is contesting the will, arguing Watts was not of sound mind when it was altered, and that Pope had undue influence in its creation.
  • Pope claims she was more than a cleaner, serving as a friend and carer, and asserts Watts intentionally disinherited Neate due to her behavior.
  • The court case continues, with Neate's lawyers questioning the validity of the will and codicil, while Pope's defense is supported by Watts' biological children.