Battle of wills over £500,000 estate

Mr Colin-Smith's estate is worth £500,000

The ownership of a Wiltshire estate worth half a million pounds was settled by the High Court on Friday.

Ralph Colin-Smith, who died aged 96 in 2000, left his Wiltshire house and contents to his nephew's wife, Susan Minns, in a 1999 will.

The Judge upheld this over a will made in 1998 that divided the estate equally between Mrs Minns and Venetia Foster, Mr Colin-Smith's friend and neighbour.

Both women had cared for Mr Colin-Smith in his old age.

Mr Colin-Smith was a sensible, intelligent and reasonably careful person

Deputy Judge
Michael Briggs QC

Mrs Foster, a massage and aromatherapy expert, had alleged that Mr Colin-Smith lacked the mental capacity to agree to a new will when he made his final bequest.

She also said he was influenced by gossip about their relationship, which Mrs Minns had used to pressure him with.

But Deputy Judge Michael Briggs, QC, ruled against Mrs Foster, saying: "Mr Colin-Smith was a sensible, intelligent and reasonably careful person."

He added that Mr Colin-Smith would have been aware of the changes he made to his will.

Nothing sexual

The terms of the earlier will stated the two women should share the £500,000 estate evenly.

Under the 1999 will, Mrs Minns receives the £370,000 house in Berwick St John near Shaftesbury, and most of the contents.

In his judgement, Mr Briggs dismissed local gossip regarding the relationship between Mr Colin-Smith and the two women.

He said there was no truth in suggestions that Mr Colin-Smith had sexual relationships with either Mrs Minns or Mrs Foster.