Will, Trust & Estate Disputes

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things to go through. If there is also a dispute over their Will or estate, this can make it even harder.

We have the largest specialist team in the country for dealing with Will, trust and estate disputes. We understand how difficult it can be when the terms of the Will are not as expected, or there are disagreements between those inheriting and those in charge of administering the estate or looking after the various assets.

Our specialist solicitors can help with:

Contesting a Will – if there are issues with the Will itself
Contentious probate – if there is a dispute over how the estate is administered
Inheritance Act claims – if you have been left out of a Will or not left as much as you need
Trust disputes – including the removal of a trustee
Professional negligence – if a solicitor or Will writer has not drawn up the Will properly, or has given negligent advice
Pre-death agreements - if someone promised you assets that aren't mentioned in their Will
Challenging a lifetime gift - if there's a dispute over whether someone had the capacity to leave a lifetime gift before they died
Financial abuse - if you suspect someone has taken wrongful control of a vulnerable person's finances
Defending a contested Will - if you’re an executor or beneficiary facing a challenge to a Will
Concerns over financial deputyship and statutory wills, when the deceased did not have the mental capacity to manage their own affairs.

Disputes over a deceased person’s estate are unpleasant, but sadly they do happen. Large and complex estates can present even more challenges, and it’s vital you have the experts on your side.

Our team has resolved some of the country’s most high-profile disputes and are particularly experienced with the unique challenges of estates where there is rural property involved, or assets are held in different countries under multiple jurisdictions. We also work with our network of international lawyers and experts to help navigate foreign laws and procedures.

We understand that this is a sensitive matter, often involving close family and loved ones. At every stage we’ll strive to make sure your claim goes as smoothly as possible, and reaches the best resolution.

Whether you are making or defending a dispute against a Will or estate, our experienced and friendly team can help. We have offices across the country, and are happy to meet somewhere that’s convenient for you.

Call us today on 0345 604 4895 – or fill out our online form and we’ll call you back.

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Resolved some of the UK's most high-profile disputes

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Will, Trust & Estate Disputes - More Information

My legal team has held my hand throughout, they have been incredibly patient and understanding"

Joy Williams, Client

Matthew's Story - Turning Hope Into Happiness

"It was like somebody had lifted a huge weight off my shoulders to be honest, it was amazing. I remember Paula rang me and I couldn’t believe it, I had to pull over and stop for five minutes!” - Matthew, client

"This was more than just a case, I wanted to win this for my friend. Telling Matthew that he’d won was so emotional, because it was the end of a long journey which finally achieved the result he wanted.” - Paula Myers, Partner

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Grounds For Contesting A Will?

There are many reasons you may wish to contest a Will – or find yourself defending a contested one. This may be because of disputes over the terms of the Will, or because the Will itself is considered invalid.

A Will could be considered invalid if:

The proper protocol wasn’t followed when it was drawn up (this is known as ‘lack of due execution’)
The deceased did not have mental capacity to execute a Will (known as ‘lack of testamentary capacity’)
The deceased had mental capacity but did not know or approve the contents of the Will
Someone used undue influence to get the Will amended for their own benefit
There is forgery or fraud involved.

Even if a Will is legally valid you might want to dispute it. This could be the case if you have been left out of a Will, or given less than you were promised or led to believe you would inherit. Visit our Inheritance Act page for more information.

If a person has lost mental capacity, a statutory Will may have been made on their behalf. We can also help you if you want to challenge the terms of a statutory Will.

Call our friendly team today for more information on 0345 604 4895 or fill out our online form and we’ll call you back.

What Does Contentious Probate Mean?

Contentious probate is the term for any dispute over the administration of a deceased person’s estate. This might include:

A dispute over the value of assets
The interpretation of a Will
Contesting probate when no Will has been left
Dealing with an executor who has mismanaged the estate
Feuding beneficiaries.

Contentious probate is different from challenging the Will itself, or bringing a claim under the Inheritance Act if you’ve been left out of a Will.

Head to our Contentious Probate page to find out more – or give us a call today on 0345 604 4895 to talk to one of the team. Alternatively, send us a message online and we’ll call you back.

How Do I Get A Copy Of The Will?

The executor of the estate or the solicitor of the person who died should be able to give you a copy of the Will. All Wills are eventually made public so it’s not restricted information, and everyone who inherits something from the Will is entitled to know that they are a beneficiary.

When a Will is disputed, the solicitor or Will writer has a duty to make a copy of the Will and its relevant documents available from the outset. Getting a copy of the Will is the first step – it’s important to see it as soon as possible, to avoid missing any time limits on making a claim.

If you don’t know who the executor is, you can search at the probate registry for a copy of the grant of probate – this will have a copy of the Will attached. If a grant of probate hasn’t been issued yet, you can put in a request for a standing search, and you’ll be notified when the grant is issued.

Call our specialist solicitors today on 0345 604 4895 if you have any questions about how to get a copy of the Will – or send us a message online and we’ll call you back.

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Will, Trust & Estate Disputes

Will, Trust & Estate Disputes - More Information

Who Can Contest A Will?

How Do I Contest A Will?

How Much Does It Cost? Who Pays?

How Can I Cover The Cost Of My Claim?

How Long Do I Have To Make A Claim?

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