Contentious Probate refers to a disagreement, usually relating to an inheritance or Will, which arises following the death of a family member or friend.
At Lanyon Bowdler, we understand that disagreements like this can cause a lot of worry at what is already a very difficult time.
Our team is friendly and approachable with a proven track record of getting things sorted quickly and efficiently. They can explain everything in a clear, easy to understand manner, helping you through disputes with sensitivity, speed and assurance.
If you are worried about how much legal services may cost, please feel free to contact us to talk about our wide range of pricing options, which include fixed fees as well as service level guarantees, demonstrating our commitment to the level of service we are able to offer.
The death of a loved one is extremely distressing and can be made all the more traumatic if you or someone else believes the will to be invalid.
Our team is experienced in dealing with all types of will and inheritance disputes and can help challenge a will’s validity via Validity Claims. Our solicitors can also make sure you are able to claim what you are entitled to in a will via Financial Provision Claims.
They are also experts at helping people recover assets which may have been promised to them via Proprietary Estoppel, or dealing with Negligence or Rectification Claims.
In the unfortunate circumstances of a dispute about a will between beneficiaries, trustees or personal representatives, our specialists are experienced at dealing with Trust Disputes and will work with you to find a solution.
In the vast majority of cases, a will is contested by a family member. For example:
As a family member, you are not necessarily or automatically entitled to receive anything from the deceased’s estate but our accomplished team of solicitors will act swiftly to establish the facts and background to your case, before advising you on the chances of overturning the existing terms of the will.
We can offer advice on whether it is appropriate to contest the will and on the next steps to take.
Disputes often arise over the division of assets or the exclusion of an expected beneficiary completely.
Grounds for contesting a Will can include:
If you feel that you have been unfairly left out of a Will or you are an executor who is either acting on someone else’s behalf or defending a claim, our specialist legal team are there to help with the expertise and experience that you need.
If you believe you have grounds to contest a Will, it is imperative that you contact us without delay. In some cases, a claim must be brought within six months of any Grant of Probate. You don’t have long, so take legal advice as soon as possible.
In The Legal 500 2023 directory the Contentious Probate department is ranked in Tier Three for the West Midlands which states, 'Claire Vale leads the contentious probate department at Lanyon Bowdler which advises on claims under the Inheritance Act, as well as on various probate disputes involving challenges to the validity of wills. The practice is well-placed to advise on other disputes with executors/administrators and applications to remove executors/administrators.'
Give a member of the team a call or complete our online enquiry form to see how we can help you.
We have offices in Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Bromyard, Hereford and Conwy; so if one of these locations is particularly convenient to you, please let us know - but we do represent clients nationally and abroad.
Lanyon Bowdler is a trading name of Lanyon Bowdler LLP which is a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales, registered number OC351948.
Lanyon Bowdler is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). SRA number: 534828.
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