Pseudonyms are used to protect the client's identity.

Liam’s parents separated when he was 17.

After his father left, his mother became emotionally and physically abusive to him and his sister, Rebecca.

Liam and Rebecca were not allowed to have relationships or contact with extended family members.

When they were abused, they comforted each other, depending on who was the victim.

The abuse was sometimes so severe that Liam called the police several times.

At 18, Liam began a 5-year degree. Rebecca paid for it with her wage as a typist and savings.

Rebecca also bought the groceries, as their mother couldn’t earn income.

Without Rebecca’s support, Liam couldn’t have continued University.

Eventually, Liam moved out, as living at home became intolerable.

He visited at least twice a week to help care for their mother.

In 1999, their mother passed away, leaving all her cash and two-thirds of the family home to Rebecca, and one-third to Liam.

In 2000, Liam saw Rebecca sink into deep depression over their mother’s death. This worsened when they sold the family home for Liam to receive his share of the estate.

Rebecca was angry about this.

That year Rebecca had her will prepared leaving two-thirds of her estate to a neighbour and one-third to a school friend.

Liam, her sole surviving relative, was not included in the will.

Despite this, from the time until Rebecca’s death, they fixed and maintained their good relationship and spoke multiple times a day on the phone.

Liam sent Rebecca household items and supported her financially and emotionally.

Rebecca passed away in 2020.

Her will had not been updated since 2000.

After their mother’s death, Rebecca lived alone and supported no one else.

Rebecca had not contacted her two friends since 2005. Neither attended her funeral.

Liam was shocked to find he was left nothing in Rebecca’s Will.