Contentious Probate Solicitors

Contentious probate refers to any dispute about how a person’s estate is administered after their death.

Losing a loved one is very difficult and problems with how their estate is being handled can make it even harder. If you feel that a loved one’s estate is not being managed properly, we can help you contest probate.

Our specialist solicitors are experts at resolving disputes, including:

The interpretation of the Will
The value of the assets involved
Dealing with an executor who has mismanaged the estate
Disagreements between beneficiaries.

We can also help you contest probate if there is no Will and you want to challenge how the estate has been divided up. A person’s legacy is a significant thing and it’s important to know that it’s being handled in a way that’s fair to those inheriting and doesn’t damage its value.

Estates can be very complicated, especially when there are multiple properties or international assets involved. Complex wealth structures incorporating trusts or rural estates can also present unique challenges.

Our team is the largest in the country and is experienced at dealing with disputes of all shapes and sizes. We have the expertise to help, whatever the nature of your dispute, whether you’re making a contentious probate claim or defending one.

Call today on 0345 604 4895 to speak to one of the team – or fill out our online form and we’ll call you back.

Leading team of experienced and knowledgeable lawyers

National coverage throughout the UK

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

International expertise

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Difference Between Contesting A Will And Contentious Probate?

Contentious probate refers to any dispute about the way a person’s estate is administered after they die. Technically, Will disputes fall under this term – if you wanted to challenge someone’s Will that would legally be termed contentious probate.

However, because there are so many different types of disputes that fall under the contentious probate banner, it’s helpful to break them down a little. We distinguish between contentious probate disputes, which are about how all the various assets of the estate are sorted out after someone’s death, and Will disputes, where there is a problem with the Will itself.

You might want to contest a Will if:

You think it is invalid
The deceased didn’t have mental capacity when they made it
They were pressured to change the Will to benefit someone else (known as undue influence)
The Will is a forgery or the result of fraud.

Find out more about contesting a Will – or call us today on 0345 604 4895 to discuss your dispute straightaway.

What If There Is No Will?

If a loved one dies without leaving a Will, dealing with their affairs can feel even more complicated.

There are a number of reasons there may be no Will:

The deceased never wrote one
They wrote one but it has been lost
They gave instructions to a solicitor but it was never written up (see our page on professional negligence).

They might also have had verbal agreements with people but failed to put these into a formal Will. For example, they may have promised a loved one their house or certain assets, but without a Will there’s no guarantee their wishes will be carried out. Find more information on our pre-death agreements page.

We have the experience and expertise to help you out if this is the case. Head to our page on Contesting Probate When There Is No Will – or call today on 0345 604 4895 to find out more.

Can I Appoint A New Executor?

The role of executor comes with a lot of responsibility and it’s important to know that the person tasked with dealing with a loved one’s estate is capable of doing it well.

To remove an executor and appoint someone else, you’ll need to show that there are good reasons for doing so.

This might include:

You think they are mismanaging the estate
There is a conflict of interests – i.e. if they also inherit from the estate and you believe this is compromising their duties
They can’t perform their duties because of mental or physical disability
The named executor can’t found.

Once an executor has accepted their role, they can’t step down except with a court order.

If you are unhappy with the conduct of an executor, we can help you explore the next options. Find out more on our page about disputes between Executors and Beneficiaries.

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