Thanks to those of you who ventured a ( free ) legal opinion on this . I shall certainly remember Eve's advice when I next come within paying distance of a lawyer - double thanks to you ;>) An alternative approach to the question - has anyone met a case where the expression "only son" is used but there are reasonably clear grounds for assuming that there were other sons , now dead ? Best wishes to all listers, Robert Hillier, Poole, Dorset