On 22 Jan 1899 [his grandfather] William Henry Paulett 6th Earl Paulett (age 71) died. His son [his father] William John Lydston Poulett 7th Earl Poulett (age 15) succeeded 7th Earl Poulett, 10th Baron Poulett.

The sixth earl's eldest son [his uncle] William Turnour Thomas Poulett (age 53) claimed the title. On 27 Jul 1903 the House of Lords determined the dispute in favour of William John Lydston Poulett 7th Earl Poulett somewhat contrary to the principle that the child of a woman born in wedlock was the child of her husband.

Report made from the Committee of Privileges:

That the Petitioner, William Turnour Thomas Poulett, claiming to be Viscount Hinton of Hinton St. George and Earl Poulett, both in the Peerage of England, hath not made out his claim to the dignities, titles, and honours of Viscount Hinton of Hinton St. George and Earl Poulett.

That the Petitioner, Rosa Countess Poulett, formerly the wife and now the widow of William Henry, sixth Earl Poulett, as a testamentary guardian of her infant son William John Lydston, claiming to be Viscount Hinton of Hinton St. George, in the county of Somerset, and seventh Earl Poulett, both in the Peerage of England, hath made out her claim that the said William John Lydston Poulett should be declared to be by right entitled to the dignities, titles, and honours of Viscount Hinton of Hinton St. George and Earl Poulett.

Read, and agreed to; and resolved and adjudged accordingly; and Resolution and Judgment to be laid before His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.

On 11 Jul 1918 [his father] William John Lydston Poulett 7th Earl Poulett (age 34) died in the flu pandemic. His son George Poulett 8th Earl Poulett (age 9) succeeded 8th Earl Poulett, 11th Baron Poulett.

In 1961 [his wife] Olga Lorraine Lawrence Countess Poulett died.

On 01 Mar 1973 George Poulett 8th Earl Poulett (age 63) died. Earl Poulett and Baron Poulett extinct.

On 20 Oct 1994 [his former wife] Muriel Mary Swinstead aka Oriel Ross Countess Poulett (age 87) died.