WEST Dorset solicitors are calling on people take proper legal advice after a new legal ruling has made will challenges even more likely.

Bridport firm Pardoes are urging residents to seek proper professional help as many could be affected by a Court of Appeal ruling after a woman cut out of her mother's will was awarded a £164,000 inheritance.

Heather Ilott, of Ware, Hertfordshire, went to court after her mother Melita Jackson left her entire £486,000 estate to animal charities when she died in 2004. The Court of Appeal has now ruled Mrs Ilott should receive a third of the estate.

The ruling is another step away from the principle, enshrined in the laws of England for over five centuries, that you can leave your estate to whomever you choose.

Liz Gilmour, from Padoes Solicitors, said: "Anyone who wants to leave their children out of their will should now ensure that they also say why, and explain what connects them to those they choose instead.

“This ruling is sure to encourage more people to go to court over the will of a family member if they have been left out.

"Such disputes are already greatly on the increase and are often very costly and break families apart. This is another very good reason, amongst many others, why it is crucial to take proper professional advice when making a will.”

A Dorset and Somerset solicitors has also urged people to obtain professional advice.

Natalie Mason, a solicitor in the tax, wills, estates and trusts department of Battens Solicitors, said: “The Court of Appeal has decided that she unreasonably excluded her from the will. The judges have awarded Mrs Ilott one third of her mother’s estate.

“The ruling highlights the fact that in some cases, wills can be challenged. Certain categories of family member can go to court and say that they have not received a reasonable share under the will. Wills cannot always be regarded as cast iron and safe from attack.

“The law in this area has not been altered by this decision but it has changed the emphasis. Professional advisers will need to ask those awkward questions about past family breakdowns.

“Not only will they ask why their client is excluding X, they will need to ask why A, B and C are inheriting more than X or instead of X. The lawyer’s file may be disclosed after their client has died, and at that stage careful explanations and justifications in the file will be crucially important.”