It is an error to accord widows generally primacy over all other applicants in family provision claims regardless of circumstances and regardless of the two-stage process in Singer v Berghouse. However, where competing factors are otherwise in equilibrium, the greater need of an elderly widow who cannot improve her financial position may ordinarily result in her needs being given primacy over younger claimants with earning capacity. Access to appeal must be kept in proportionality with the nature of the controversy and the amount involved.
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