The Shocking Truth About Intestacy: Lessons from Max George’s Story

Pop star and Strictly contestant Max George has described how he attempted to make his Will on his iPhone just before undergoing a lifesaving operation to have a pacemaker fitted. Max said he thought of his girlfriend, actress Maisie Smith, 23, and his family and what would happen if the worst occurred.

He told the Daily Mail: “That first night I wrote a Will, I thought I was going to die. When you get told that, you really realise what your responsibilities are. I’ve got a partner, Maisie, I’ve got a family. I’ve got two little nephews and all of that stuff really comes to the front of it all.”

It’s good that Max finally realised the benefit of making a Will but his notes on his iPhone would not have been enough to qualify as valid Will. Had he not survived his medical procedure then he would have died intestate and his estate would have been distributed according to the rules of intestacy. These rules prioritise close family members and would have had Max’s personal wishes.

There are strict legal requirements to ensure a Will is acceptable in law, including being in writing and signed in the presence of two independent witnesses.

Like Max, many people neglect to make a Will while they are in good health and many fail to make a Will at all, which can cause major problems for their families.

Under the Intestacy Rules, spouses or civil partners may inherit everything but this is determined according to the value of the estate and they  may have to share the estate with the deceased’s children. If there is no surviving spouse the estate passes entirely to children or grandchildren then, if none, parents, siblings, or more distant relatives.

Crucially, unmarried partners, stepchildren, friends, and charities are not entitled to inherit under intestacy rules, no matter how close their relationship to the deceased.

If Max had not survived his operation, Maisie, as his girlfriend but not his spouse, would not have been entitled to inherit anything. Instead, his estate would have passed to his next of kin. Such situations may result in disputes or financial difficulties for loved ones left behind.

Additionally, intestacy rules make no provision for guardianship of minor children, which can leave families in uncertainty or result in decisions being made by the courts. This highlights the importance of making a valid Will to ensure that both financial and personal matters are addressed in line with an individual’s wishes.

Making a Will allows individuals to tailor their estate plans, protect loved ones, and reduce potential conflicts. Max’s story illustrates that, writing a Will can bring peace of mind, ensuring that responsibilities to family and loved ones are met.

For lasting security, consult Machins Solicitors LLP to ensure all legal formalities are met. Please contact us if you would like more information about making a Will.