The Will Centre

Documental evidence is common in courts but remarkable exhibits also occasionally feature in cases of probate.

In Los Angeles, before the Second World War, George W. Hazeltine, 86, lay ill in hospital. He decided that he wanted to make a new Will and leave $10,000 to his nurses, Lillian Pelkey and Madeline Higgins. Being a matter of urgency and there being no paper to hand, Miss Pelkey pulled up her dress, placed a board under her petticoat, and the Will was pencilled on her undergarment.

After much deliberation the petticoat was eventually admitted to probate. Unfortunately the nurses were prevented from benefiting from the Will because they were the attesting
witnesses of it.


Alan Porter of The Will Centre warns “Many home made (or ‘hospital’) Wills are often found to be invalid because the deceased has not done it correctly and this includes the witnessing. A person who benefits from the Will cannot be a witness and neither can the spouse or civil partner of a beneficiary. It’s an expensive mistake to make.”

With inflation the $10,000 would now be worth approximately $149,166 or £76,055 at today’s rates. A very expensive mistake!!!!!!