George Woodhead has offered observations on the implications of Labour’s assisted dying bill for private client law around inheritance, in an article entitled ‘Labour’s assisted dying bill risks spate of inheritance rows‘. Please see below for a snippet of the story, first published in The Telegraph by Noah Eastwood on 21st October 2024.
Labour’s assisted dying bill will lead to a rise in inheritance disputes if passed by MPs next month, experts have warned.
The morally hazardous issue could pose legal headaches for families who are in line to inherit from those who choose to die by assisted suicide.
Sir Keir Starmer personally supports assisted dying in some circumstances and pledged to give lawmakers a free vote on the issue before the election.
The issue was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs in 2015 but has been allowed to return to Parliament in a bill due for a vote on 29 November.
George Woodhead, a barrister at Selborne Chambers, told The Telegraph the issue would have “significant legal and financial ramifications for the deceased individuals and their families”.
He said: “There is concern amongst some medical professionals that vulnerable adults might be influenced to take steps to end their lives, influenced by those around them who stand to benefit.
“Depending on the scope of the proposed legislation, some families may fall victim to the forfeiture rule. This rule prohibits someone who has unlawfully killed or contributed to the death of another benefitting or inheriting from their estate, unless relief from forfeiture is granted.
“Given the uptick in inheritance disputes in recent years, litigation arising from cases of assisted dying seems inevitable,” he added.”
Please click here to read the rest of the article.
