Reference no: EM1373523

For Greta Harrington as well as her husband Robert, it was love at first sight. The two were married for 52 years until cancer took her husband at the age of 84. Greta is presently 83 years old and her marriage produced three offspring- Samuel 50 years old Katherine, 45 years old and Benjamin, 40 years old. In his will, Robert left all of his financial interests, a considerable sum valued at $5 million, entirely to his wife, in his will, he likewise expressed love and affection for his three children, as well as the wish that Greta devise the remainder of the couple's estate to their children, in equal portions, upon her death.

Greta has lately been keeping company with Gary Watson, a twice-divorced, 65-year-old bachelor with a standing for womanizing. Though visiting her mother one weekend, Katherine is surprized to see a fully-executed will on the desk in the living room, planning all of her mother's estate to Gary Watson. She directly calls Samuel and Benjamin, schedules an emergency sibling meeting for Sunday and wonders what to do about her mother's ill-advised decision. She has observed in recent months that her mother is often forgetful, frequently calls her Sharon (her aunt's name,) and frequently confuses the days of the week.

Do the children have any lawful rights in terms of successfully invalidating Greta Harrington's will? From a legal and/or ethical standpoint must a mother (even of adult children) be allowed to disinherit her offspring?