An Australian doctor has become millions of dollars richer after being written into the will of a patient as the main beneficiary, despite the decision being challenged by the dead man’s friends as well as the Salvation Army.
After winning the New South Wales Court of Appeal case in Sydney last month, Dr Peter Alexakis will inherit 90% of the estate bequeathed to him by Raymond McClure (84).
McClure, a millionaire who had made his fortune selling property in the US before moving to Australia, had never married or had children, and in a previous will, the bulk of his $24m fortune had been left to the Salvation Army.
News.com.au reports that several months before his death in 2017, McClure changed his will, naming Alexakis as the main beneficiary and leaving 65% of his estate to him.
This will was later changed again, with Alexakis receiving 90% of McClure’s estate, including his home.
In a previous version of the will, two of McClure’s friends were due to inherit up to 35% between them, and in an even earlier will, the Salvation Army was named as the primary beneficiary.
The final will left his two friends with nine and one per cent of the estate, and cut out the Salvation Army altogether.
In addition, McClure also left $10 000 to a woman who had been working as his carer in 2017.
Both the Salvation Army and the two friends contested the will in court, arguing Alexakis had used “undue influence” to exploit McClure for financial gain.
But the court found in favour of Alexakis and that he had not exercised “undue influence”.
Court documents revealed that McClure had suffered multiple medical issues, including diabetes, prostate cancer and renal failure, and had been in and out of hospital since June 2015, after which he discharged himself and returned home.
Alexakis had been his GP since 2015, making numerous visits both to his patient in hospital and later at his home.
Interestingly, in 2014, after the death of another patient, Alexakis had inherited $86 380.
The Syndey Morning Herald reports that Alexakis was found guilty by a medical tribunal of unprofessional conduct but will be allowed practise under certain conditions.
Sydney Morning Herald – This Sydney GP inherited $24 million from a patient. Now, he’s been reprimanded