Journalist Janet Street-Porter said on panel show Would I Lie To You? that she ‘panic’ wrote her will after fearing she would die in a plane crash.
The episode, which aired in 2009, but was recently re-uploaded to YouTube, shows Street-Porter telling her fellow panellists that she wrote her will on a cardboard photo film box.
She claimed the incident occurred many years ago while filming in Mexico and the plane’s landing gear wouldn’t come down.
The incident turned out to be true but involved some serious and humorous questioning from her fellow panellists.
Comedian David Mitchell said to Street-Porter: “If a plane crashed, one of the things that would perish along with the humans would be the cardboard.
“I think to write a will on something that will burn more quickly than you is a moronic act.
“Why did you think that would work?!”
Street-Porter said: “I was panicking! The bloody plane was crashing, so you’re not logical, are you?!”
Comedian Dave Gorman jokingly suggested that Street-Porter should have recorded her will on the plane’s ‘black box’, (a recording device used by plane staff to help investigations of aviation accidents and incidents) so there would be a proper ‘record’ of it.
TV presenter Davina Mccall asked Street-Porter: “What were you writing? Were you writing bits and bobs to each person?”
Street-Porter said: “I was leaving everything to the person I was with (her partner) at the time.”
In a parallel universe
However, had the worst happened, and had Street-Porter’s ‘cardboard will’ miraculously survived and been discovered, what would be the legal standing on it?
Wills do not have to be written by a solicitor to be legally binding. They could be written in a notebook or a piece of paper.
However, for it to be valid, it must be signed and witnessed by two adult independent witnesses (who are not beneficiaries) who are both present at the time.
If you live outside the UK and want to cover your assets both in the UK and abroad, then you will need two wills (e.g. an English will and a Spanish will) and they must not ‘clash’ with each other.
A voice or video recording won’t constitute a valid will but can be used as a ‘backup’ to an existing written will.
It is unlikely that Street-Porter’s ‘cardboard will’ would ever be valid- even if it did survive the crash!
Take a chance on me
DIY wills can cause problems if there are mistakes because your will could be declared invalid and wishes may not be fulfilled.
This means potentially leaving your family with legal, financial and emotional problems, or any unnecessary bills/taxes.
However, getting a will made through a solicitor ensures that the document is valid, meaning that there is no risk of it being challenged.
At Kingswell Watts, we recommend letting an experienced solicitor handle your will writing.
There is considerable formality in the attestation and execution of a will, which only a solicitor can ensure is achieved.
Call us today for a competitive quote for your will on 01924 461236 or email jonathan.lloyd@kingswellwatts.co.uk.
Comments