Myra Philomena Collaco found herself in a court fight over her parents' wills. The case was about who really had the rights to a property in Bandra, Mumbai. The Bombay High Court, with Judges M.S. Sonak and Advait M. Sethna, gave the decision on December 30, 2025.
The case started with the will of Myra's father, Sonny Coelho, who passed away in 1976. His will allowed his wife, Maria, and their sons Victor and Neville, to use the property during their lifetimes. However, Maria's will, dated July 7, 1982, left the same property to Myra and her brothers George and Reginald, leaving Victor and Neville out.
Myra wanted official permission to carry out her mother's will, which Lilian Coelho and others challenged. The first judge thought there was something fishy about Maria's will and rejected it on March 7, 2003. But the Division Bench changed this on January 22, 2009, siding with Myra. The Supreme Court later sent the case back to the High Court on January 2, 2025.
The court found three suspicious things in Maria's will: 1. Lack of Property Details: The will was unclear about the property. 2. Myra’s Involvement: Myra was very involved in making the will happen. 3. Exclusion of Sons: Victor and Neville were left out without any reason.
The court agreed with the first judge's decision, saying that Myra couldn't clear up the suspicious things. The judges noted that Maria had already followed her husband’s will, recognizing the property as his alone. This made Maria's will unclear and not valid.
The court stressed the need for clear wills to avoid family fights. The judgment also pointed out the importance of clearing up any suspicious things to the court's satisfaction.
In the end, the court rejected Myra's appeal, keeping the original decision the same. This case is a reminder of how complicated family inheritance disputes can be and the importance of clear legal documents.
