Claire-Marie Cornford
Partner
Inheritance Act Claims
If you’ve been left out of a Will, or not been left as much as you need, you may be able to make a claim under the Inheritance Act. Our solicitors can help you make an Inheritance Act claim, or defend one if your inheritance is being threatened by a claim.
What is the Inheritance Act?
A person is entitled to leave their estate to whoever they want. However, there are some people who might reasonably expect to have a share of it.
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 is a law to protect people who are financially dependent on another person when they die. It means that some dependants can claim against a Will that doesn’t provide a reasonable amount of inheritance for them.
Who can claim under the Inheritance Act 1975?
Inheritance Act claims are decided on a case-by-case basis and depend on the particular circumstances of the applicant and their relationship to the deceased, as well as the details of the estate itself.
People who are covered by the Inheritance Act can include:
- A spouse or civil partner
- Children (both minors or adults), including adopted children or someone who has been treated as a child of the marriage (step-children for instance)
- A former spouse or civil partner – if they have not remarried
- Someone living continually with the deceased for at least two years before their death
- Any person being financially maintained in some way by them.
Your relationship to the deceased will also determine what you are entitled to and the level of financial need you must prove. While spouses and civil partners do not have to show evidence of financial need, children and other dependants do have to. They are then entitled ‘reasonable provision’ for their maintenance.
If you’re unsure of whether or not you have a valid claim, we urge you to get in touch today – the time restrictions for making a claim under the Inheritance Act are very strict.
What will the court take into account in an Inheritance Act claim?
There are a number of things a court must consider when reviewing a claim under the Inheritance Act. These include:
- Your financial needs and resources
- The size and nature of the estate
- What obligations and responsibilities the deceased had to you
- Any disabilities you have, whether physical or mental, that make financial provision necessary
- The needs and resources of those named in the Will and any others who have claims on the estate.
If you’re making a claim as a spouse or civil partner, the court will also take into consideration things such as how long you were together.
They might also look at other relevant factors, such as the conduct of the parties. Each case is different and there is no blanket rule for who is entitled to what.
We understand that these claims come at a time that is already emotionally demanding, and by their very nature can be deeply personal. We have the experience and expertise to support you through the process and ensure you get the best outcome possible.
What are the common grounds for making an Inheritance Act claim?
There are many different reasons for making a claim under the Inheritance Act, and each case must be considered on its own terms. However, some of the common circumstances include:
- An estranged child or spouse has been left without financial provision
- The financial provision made for someone named in the Will is insufficient for their needs
- A person’s financial needs have changed, either before or after the deceased’s death, and the Will does not recognise this change in circumstances
- If the deceased died without a Will, any partner living with them would not automatically inherit, as the intestacy rules do not include provision for unmarried partners. Find out more about contesting probate where there is no Will.
Our specialist solicitors could help you make an Inheritance Act claim if:
- The deceased didn’t leave a valid Will (this is known as intestacy)
- You’ve been left out of the Will
- You’ve not been left as much as you need.
In some cases, it may also be that all parties agree that the Will should be adjusted, and just need legal advice to work out the exact details. This can be common if children are involved or where there are issues regarding potential tax consequences. If you’re unsure whether or not you have a claim, our specialist team are here to advise you.
What is the time limit for making an Inheritance Act claim?
You have six months to make an Inheritance Act claim, starting from the date probate was granted.
In some circumstances you may be able to apply to the court for an extension, so it’s still worth contacting us if you’re out of time but you think you might have a claim.
Speak to our experts
We have the largest private client team in the UK; our team of experts are here to provide discreet legal advice to support you and your family.
Why choose Irwin Mitchell for Inheritance Act claims?
Whether you’re making a claim under the Inheritance Act or defending one, our solicitors can help. We have the largest Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team in the country and we specialise in dealing with complex estates of many different sizes and value.
We understand how sensitive inheritance disputes can be and work towards amicable resolutions wherever possible. Our lawyers are expert negotiators and mediators, and will always try to settle claims out of court with a minimum of fuss. However, if it comes to it, we’re experienced taking claims through the court process and will support you every step of the way.
Specialist Legal Advice
Our experts are here to provide discreet legal support for you and your family. Please complete our enquiry form and one of our experts will contact you by the next working day.
Alternatively, you can call us now.
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (Excluding Public Holidays).
03301623899
Making an enquiry
We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.
Complete our online formWe need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phoneOn the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointmentIf we’re able to support you further, the next step is an appointment with one of our specialists so we can discuss everything in more detail.
Frequently asked questions about Inheritance Act claims
Making a claim will differ slightly depending on the circumstances of your dispute, but it’s usually made up of the same steps:
1. Investigation
We’ll examine the Will and any related documents (this might be property deeds, trust accounts, previous Wills made by the deceased).
If relevant, we may also gather medical evidence about the deceased, to understand their condition when they made the Will. This would be particularly important in disputes over whether or not someone had mental capacity to make a Will.
We might also get witness statements from those who knew the deceased, to better understand the full circumstances in which the Will was drawn up. These investigations will help us confirm whether you can make a claim, and what type of claim it will be.
2. Mediation
Most disputes can be settled by an alternative dispute resolution method, such as mediation. This means that you don’t have to go to court, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Mediation typically takes place on one day, with a professionally trained mediator present as a neutral third party. The mediator’s role is to try to help you reach an agreement with the other parties.
3. Court
Some disputes cannot be resolved by reaching an agreed settlement. If this is the case, the matter will have to be decided by a court. This is rare, however – and if it does happen, we have the expertise to secure the best outcome for you.
Whatever the circumstances of your dispute, we’ll support you every step of the way – and we’ll give you a clear idea at the start of how long we think it will take, and the outcome we think you can expect.
Our commitment to you
Our experts always start by listening, so we understand what matters most from day one.- 01Clear legal guidance
You will always get straightforward, honest advice, with regular updates to keep you clear on the way forward.
- 02Specialist knowledge
A wide-ranging team of trusted specialists who understand what it takes to protect your future, your family or your business.
- 03Your needs first
Whether you’re navigating complex personal situations or business decisions, we take the time to understand your world and what’s at stake.