Is your will worth anything?

There was a story in the news recently about a lady who died and left all her money to animal charities. It was a substantial amount (I think about £500k from memory).

She had an estranged daughter who she hadn't seen for many, many years (they fell out after family differences).

The daughter challenged the will and was able to claim (I think) about a third of the money......because the judge decided that the deceased lady didn't have sufficient connection with the charities and had acted out of spite.

Surely this cannot be right?

If I decided to leave my money to charity.....whatever the reason......surely that's what should happen?