Contested Probate & Will Disputes

This page’s keywords are as follows

• Contesting a Will
• Challenging a Will
• Contesting probate
• Capacity issues
• Inheritance Act claims
• Obtaining a caveat
• Warning a caveat
• Will Disputes

Contested Probate Solicitors Leicester

With every client Steven strives to provide:

• Plain English Advice
• Time - to understand your situation and all that you're faced with
• Results - we often get more money for clients or a better deal
• Value - typically fixed fees or conditional fee agreements
• Convenience - meetings by phone, video call or in person at a time to suit you.

What is Contentious Probate?

Contentious Probate refers to any dispute following someone's death. Losing a loved one is obviously very difficult at the best of times, but when the estate is disputed for some reason, things can be emotionally charged and tough to deal with objectively.

I take a compassionate approach, while being robust in bringing or defending all types of contested/contentious probate claims or will disputes.

What kind of contentious probate disputes can we help with?

There are a wide range of disputes which can arise on someone's death such as:

• the interpretation of a Will
• challenging the validity of a Will
• challenging the distribution of a Will
• dealing with an executor who is mismanaging an estate
• claiming inheritance as a dependent

There are often strict time limits for bringing a claim relating to a Will, Probate or Inheritance so please get in touch and I can help.

What are the grounds for challenging a Will?

• Lack of Capacity - did the Will maker have mental capacity at the time of signing the Will?
• Undue Influence - was someone in a position of influence (eg a carer) who pushed the Will maker into writing the Will?
• Fraud and Forged Wills
• Wills not properly drafted or executed
• Fraudulent Calumny - poisoning the mind of the Will writer
• Being left out of a Will - Inheritance Act claims

How much will a Contentious Probate Dispute Cost?

Many contested probate lawyers act on contentious probate disputes on Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA) - often called "no win no fee" agreements or with the benefit of Legal Expenses Insurance.

However, almost always will a CFA see you pay MORE than you would if you paid privately. You should be very careful and consider matters fully before entering into any kind of funding arrangement with a solicitor.

Contentious probate matters are expensive, as all court proceedings are, and you could easily spend £20,000-£100,000 plus VAT in dealing with a claim from start to finish.

What if there is no Will?

Where there is no Will, the distribution will usually follow what are called the rules of Intestacy.