Estate Administration & Probate 

Inheritance Act 

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A Law Firm For Life

Times are always difficult when you suffer a bereavement, but this is especially so when you have to make or are on the receiving end of a claim to contest a will or estate.

At Irwin Mitchell, we know how difficult this can be, and our experts can guide you each step of the way to try and make it as easy as possible.

Experts On The Inheritance Act

You may be eligible to claim under the Act if you are:

  • A spouse or civil partner of the deceased
  • A former spouse or civil partner of the deceased (who has not been re-married or formed another civil partnership)
  • A co-habitee of the deceased (i.e. someone who has been living in the same household as the deceased and as 'man and wife' or 'civil partners' for at least 2 years immediately before the death)
  • A child of the deceased
  • A person treated as a child of the family of the deceased
  • Any other person who has been maintained by the deceased immediately prior to death

In addition you need to prove that the Deceased's Will or intestacy does not make reasonable financial provision for you.  What is reasonable depends upon various factors set out in the Act applicable on all cases and special factors applicable to the various categories of applicant.  Each case is different and depends upon its facts.

If you fall into one of these categories and have not been adequately provided for, you will be able to pursue a claim under the Act.  We have a dedicated team of lawyers (a number of whom are members of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) who are highly experienced in bringing such claims to a successful resolution.

Funding

We will provide a free, no-obligation initial assessment of your claims and will respond to all new enquiries by telephone, email or post within 24 hours.

We are able to offer a full range of funding options, including:

  • 'No Win No Fee' Agreements
  • Discounted Fee Agreements
  • Public Funding (Legal Aid)
  • Legal Expense insurance (Panel Firm)

We will accept cases on a 'No Win No Fee' basis wherever possible. In appropriate circumstances, we can arrange insurance cover for your case which would give you peace of mind and security.  Such insurance will also protect you from any liability for the fees of the other party and any disbursements incurred by us in the event that you do not win.

Working With Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell is one of the UK's most successful and respected law firms. Offering expert legal guidance for individual clients, we are also the law firm of choice for many financial institutions in providing legal services to their customers.

We provide clear, straightforward advice and a professional, proactive service. When needed, we will fight fearlessly to protect your interests and those of your loved ones.

Many legal needs can be met as they arise or be planned for in advance. Others are harder to anticipate. Whatever the circumstances, our commitment to our clients is simple - a law firm for life.

Further Information About Our Inheritance Act Disputes Services

For an initial discussion, with no obligation, please call 0870 1500 100, send us an online enquiry.



Will Mediation Leads To Satisfactory Conclusion

Will Mediation

Our client's husband of some twenty years died.  By his will he left her £100,000 absolutely, left a sum of money on trust to be used for the benefit of our client and the deceased's adult sons of his first marriage at the discretion of trustees and left the balance of his estate to the sons.  The main asset of the estate was the farm which had provided the deceased and our client with their main income for many years.  The couple's matrimonial home was a bungalow in close proximity to the farm which had already been transferred to our client's outright ownership.  The adult sons wished to live at the farm and farm it themselves and our client was extremely anxious to move away from the farm and purchase an alternative property to live in.

A mediation of our client's claim for financial provision under the provisions of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 took place.  Although a final settlement was not reached on the day, the mediation was the occasion on which the sons realised that our client's claim was justified and realised that in order to provide for our client they would have to raise money by mortgaging the farm.  It was therefore possible for a settlement to be reached soon afterwards whereby the absolute provision for our client was increased significantly from the £100,000 left by the will in order to meet our client's need for income and our client was able to move away from the former matrimonial home and the farm.

Name Location Job Title Telephone
Adam Draper Sheffield Partner 0114 274 4963
Louise Sykes Sheffield Partner 0114 2744379
Karen Causier Sheffield Associate 0114 274 4654
Chris Walton Sheffield Solicitor 0114 274 4976
Katie Winslow Sheffield Other Legal Expert 0114 274 4216
Rebecca Forder Sheffield Legal Executive 0114 274 4290

   

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