World
October 24, 2024 10:50
england - An Englishman leaves his valuable stamp collection to his cleaner as an inheritance, causing a stir among his other heirs. What was the true value of the collection?
Englishman Ray Watts had built up a beautiful assortment of stamps dating back to 1840 since he retired.
When the old man passed away at the age of 90 in 2021, his relatives were in for a shock at the notary. Ray had sold his collection with a value of, according to one of them, 200,000 pounds to his cleaner Sue Pope shortly before for just 1 pound.
His three children and a stepchild had to make do with a 'tip'. The stepchild, who apparently had completely fallen out of favor, had to settle for 1 pound.
In 2007, the Englishman made a will for the first time. It stated that each heir would receive an equal share. However, what the family did not know was that a year before his death, Ray had made a surprise amendment with the notary. This happened when he was in the hospital after a serious fall at home.
The stepdaughter from Ray's second marriage, who would now only receive 1 pound, has angrily taken the matter to court, as reported by The Telegraph. Beverley calls it an 'intentionally ridiculously low inheritance.' According to her, Ray was influenced by the cleaner and was not mentally sound at the time of the amendment in the hospital. Beverley claims there is evidence that the cleaner assisted the old Ray in making changes that benefited her with the stamps.
The cleaner herself claimed to have built a close friendship with Ray, who worked at Lloyds Bank during his working life. According to her, the old man wanted nothing more to do with his stepdaughter Beverley and literally excluded her by changing the locks on his house. He found her 'disrespectful'. And the stamp collection? According to her, it was worth much less than the 200,000 pounds suggested by the stepdaughter.
Ray's three biological children were slightly better off in the will: they each received 15,000 euros and a share in the house that is being sold. The cleaner also receives a share of that.
The trio confirmed the cleaner's story in court and said they were at peace with Ray's decision. Son Nicholas recalled that he had received 'enough in life' from his father. The court still has to make a decision in this case.