Inheritance rights eased

Children born outside marriage in Jersey will soon have the same inheritance rights as legitimate children.

The Legislation Committee agreed to scrap current laws which effectively ignore illegitimate children.

Under new laws, children will be able to contest a will if they can prove who their parents are.

The Royal Court will also be able to make an order so all dependents, including the spouse, are included.

Legislation President, Deputy Roy Le Herissier, told the States the measure was long overdue.

He said: "The real issue is, 'What is dependency?'

"It does not flow from legal status, is what we are now saying.

"We are saying that dependents do not have an automatic right to a portion of the estate, but they do have a right to make a claim against the estate."