Might someone destroy a will to increase their inheritance?

The possibility hadn’t occurred to me until I was consulted about that exact scenario. James (not his real name) shared the story of how he developed a friendship with Doris, who hired James to provide dog-walking services for her beloved Yorkie named Huggles. As Doris’s health declined, she shared her concern about what would happen to Huggles if the dog outlived her. James reassured her he would give Huggles a loving home.

Doris decided to leave James a financial gift in her will, to thank him for his kindness and cover his out-of-pocket expenses caring for Huggles. She told James she updated her will, leaving him a bequest of $150,000. She mentioned she kept her updated will in her home.

Six months later Doris passed........

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