Charity wills chosen by disappeared woman

Charity wills were included in the testament of a woman who gave alternative inheritance plans in the event of her original wishes failing.

Kate Prout disappeared three years ago and a jury have ruled she was murdered, the Daily Mail reports, with her husband convicted of the act.

In making a will Mrs Prout left money to her spouse, but stated if the "gift fails for any reason" it should be passed on in the form of charity wills, being left to Great Ormond Street Hospital and other worthy causes.

Members of her family were also named in the testament, indicating free will writing advice could help individuals choose exactly where and how to leave their assets, as there are many alternatives to simply naming the next of kin.

Inheritance tax could have been one reason the deceased remembered donations-reliant organisations when making a will, as such gifts are exempt from state levies.

Care charity Sue Ryder recently suggested Britons should list what they want from a testament, saying this will help lawyers offering will-writing services get it right.

Published by Phil Hammond