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.
Claire is one of the few solicitors in the Shropshire/West Midlands area to specialise in contentious probate. She is a member of The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (“ACTAPS”).
The 2025 edition of the Legal 500 states: “Lanyon Bowdler have an excellent practice in contentious trusts and probate work in this area of the world. They handle the matters with obvious expertise and good judgement”.
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.
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 2025 directory the Contentious Probate department is ranked in Tier Three for the West Midlands which states, ‘Lanyon Bowdler have an excellent practice in contentious trusts and probate work in this area of the world. They handle the matters with obvious expertise and good judgement.’
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:
From the first contact, the team at Lanyon Bowdler gave a fast & efficient service. They were very friendly & gave me the confidence that I had found the right solicitors. The advice given & the fast responses were beyond my expectations. The matter was resolved in no time at all.
Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.
I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.
All work carried out effectively and efficiently.
An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.
From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.
Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.
Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.
I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.
Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.
Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.
Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.
Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.
Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.
We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.
Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice
Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.
Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.
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 wherever they live in England or Wales.
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