

5 Essential Tips on Setting Up a Business in the UK
With 801,000 new businesses launching in the UK between 2022-23, setting up for success is more important than…
Find out how our contentious probate team re-defined the law surrounding contesting wills.
When inheritance disputes arise, emotions often run high. We provide sensitive yet robust representation in contested probate matters, helping you navigate complex family dynamics while protecting your legal rights and interests.
FAQs
There are several ways that claims over a person’s estate can arise when they have passed away, including disagreements over:
This list isn’t exhaustive, which is why it’s important to seek advice from a professional. Contentious probate claims that do not have a clear grounds on which to contest the will or probate will likely fail.
Ideally any claims for contentious probate should be brought as soon as possible. There are limitation periods that apply to claims brought on certain grounds, including:
When bringing a contentious probate claim it’s essential to act as quickly as possible and ideally prior to any applications for a grant of probate.
Costs will depend upon how complex a case is, how much evidence there is to comb through and whether expert witnesses are required. If you are considering bringing a contentious probate claim, you should carefully consider whether the size of the estate merits such action. Taking action against an estate worth less than £100,000 is rarely cost-effective.
If defending against a claim, you should always seek legal advice as it may be a simple case of dismissing the claim in the first instance. However, a claim with reasonable grounds that is undefended can quickly drain an estate of all its resources.
The main factors which influence costs include:
Due to the complexity of contentious probate, most cases will involve bringing in barristers and expert witnesses.
No, we are unable to offer legal aid on any of our services. In some cases we are able to offer conditional fee agreements, however this is on a case-by-case basis.
Call, email or provide us with a few details of your matter, and we’ll help you arrange an initial consultation. You’ll get:
No fee surprises. Ever. Our solicitors in London and Brighton will inform you from the outset how much your case will cost and we will do everything in our power to keep costs down and within your original fee estimate.
You are our priority and law is our speciality. Our award-winning solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly where you stand from a legal perspective so you can make a well-informed decision.
With fortnightly updates on your case, you’ll never be left in the dark. Our solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly how your case is progressing and are with you every step of the way.
What we do
Our untimed initial consultations provide you with as long as you need to speak to a specialist solicitor about your matter.