The impact of Ilott

Since the introduction of the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1935, which has been superseded by the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, the courts have been empowered in certain circumstances to modify either the will or the intestacy rules if in their considered view a testator fails to make reasonable financial provision for certain individuals, but English law upholds the freedom of testators to distribute their assets by will after death in whatever manner they wish.