Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes

If a will or inheritance is disputed following a death, it can make a difficult time even harder. When businesses or farms are involved, matters can be even more complicated. We understand these emotionally charged disputes and advise with empathy and pragmatism, listening and working with you to find the right solution.

Key contact

Beth King-Smith

  • Partner, Head of Disputed Wills, Trusts & Estates and Worcester Private Client team

Where wills are concerned, blood isn’t always thicker than water and families can self-destruct following a death. Grieving for a loved one and warring with other family members can create a difficult and upsetting situation for everyone involved. This is especially the case in disputes in a farming context where family members are also in partnership with each other.

Meet the team

Experience across the board

We regularly act for executors, beneficiaries, dependants and those excluded from a will.

We are experienced in alternative dispute resolution and will try to help you achieve a negotiated settlement wherever possible to avoid court proceedings.

We have particular experience in:

  • Claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
  • The validity of wills (including issues of undue influence, capacity, execution, and rectification)
  • The removal of executors, personal representatives, and trustees
  • Disputes with executors (for example, where an executor is refusing to administer the estate)
  • Disappointed beneficiaries
  • Disputes between executors and beneficiaries
  • Farming will disputes involving farmland and assets
  • Breach of trusts
  • Professional negligence concerning will drafting.
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A considered approach

We make sure we understand the background of your dispute, including any relevant interfamily politics and relationships. We provide frank, realistic advice, taking steps to help you preserve relationships where possible.

Whatever the nature or value of the dispute, we approach each case with the same care and diligence, paying attention to the detail and negotiating appropriate settlements as quickly and cost-effectively as we can.

Disputed Wills, Trusts and Estates – Frequently asked questions

If there is no will the laws of intestacy will apply. You can find helpful guidance on the government website.

As to administration of the estate, the most “entitled” person can apply, so the closest living relative, usually the spouse or civil partner followed by the children (including legally adopted children but not step-children).

Before a Grant of Probate is issued, it is up to the executors who receives a copy of the will. So, even as a beneficiary, you are not entitled to see a copy of the will without the agreement of the executors.

Once the Grant of Probate has been issued the will becomes a public document and so anybody can obtain a copy. This can be done online for a small fee on the government website.

A person who has an interest in the estate, such as a spouse, other direct family member or cohabitee, and is a beneficiary in the current will, or in a previous will, or who would inherit under the laws of intestacy (where there is no valid earlier will in existence).

If the will challenge is successful and the will is deemed invalid, then the previous will comes into effect. If there is no previous will, the laws of intestacy will apply.

Every case is different and we will be able to advise you on whether or not we think you could make a successful claim.

Briefly, the grounds for challenging a will are:

  • Has the will been properly executed. So, is it correctly signed and witnessed?
  • Has the will been forged?
  • Has the person making the will been put under undue pressure or coercion by another or others when making their will? This is known as “undue influence”. Mere persuasion is not sufficient.
  • Did the person making the will have the mental capacity to make the will?
  • Did the person know of an approve the contents of the will?

No. It might be that the person making the will may choose to change their will before they die.

If you are concerned about the contents of a will or the manner in which it was made, you can enter a caveat with the probate registry. This is a temporary restriction that prevents a Grant of Probate from being issued meaning the assets of the estate cannot be distributed. The caveat remains in place for six months and can be renewed.

Under English law, people are entitled to leave their estate to whoever they choose. However, if you have been left very little or nothing from the estate, it may be possible for you to bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“the 1975 Act”). A claim under the 1975 Act is for reasonable financial provision from the estate.

If you have been promised a property or gift from the person who has died and this is not reflected in their will, you may be able to bring a claim for the broken promise. You will need to show that the promise was made and that you relied on that promise to your detriment, such as giving up your employment or moving out of your own home.

There are no time limits to contest a will but, ideally, it should be done as soon as possible as, once the estate has been distributed, it can be difficult to recover funds or assets.

A claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 is for reasonable financial provision and you have six months from the date of the grant of probate within which to issue your claim at court.

The majority of cases settle by negotiation, or a form of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation, without the need for court proceedings to be commenced.

Executors have a number of duties to fulfil and therefore have 12 months, from the date of death, before they have to start distributing the estate. However, if can take longer in more complex estates or, for example, where a property needs to be sold.

If you are concerned about undue delay then, as a beneficiary under the will, you can firstly write to the executor for an update on the administration and ask for a copy of the estate accounts.

In some circumstances you can make an application to the court to remove an executor for failing to comply with their obligations but the courts will not make that decision lightly.

Our Private Wealth sector

Clients who have built a significant assets base may face a complex legal and tax landscape. Our experts, who cover a range of legal disciplines, are on hand to provide specialist legal guidance and support to help individuals, their families, trustees and family offices.

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Hear what our clients say about us

Michelle Abbott immediately made us feel at ease straight away. She is very professional, friendly and extremely helpful. Michelle guided us through the process, providing clear and easy to understand information. In preparing and completing wills, her legal knowledge and attention to detail is excellent.

It’s been a pleasure dealing with both you and your company and I would not hesitate in using your services again or recommending you to family and friends. Thank you very much for all you have done for us

Client Testimonial Will Drafting

Good, clear advice always delivered in a considerate, and often kind manner, without delay or need for chasing. A pleasure to deal with.

Client Testimonial Will Dispute

Kerri is a pleasure to deal with. She provides very clear advice and is timely in her actions. She listens, understands and answers clearly. Her knowledge and her empathy have put us all at our ease in dealing with our matter.

Client Testimonial The Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

The Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024 said: “Kerri Woodrow is very professional and businesslike.” and “Kerri’s service and client management is very good.”

Client Testimonial The Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

HCR has a good breadth of people and levels of experience.

Client Testimonial Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

Harrison Clark Rickerbys provide clear advice and are happy to answer our many questions. The responses are always very timely, and the language used in correspondence is accurate and understandable.

Client Testimonial Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

HCR are highly professional – they are experts, flexible, easily contactable and very responsive. They give fast replies and accurately too – it is a specialist service.

Client Testimonial Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

HCR are professional and focused on clear and pragmatic explanations without resorting to legalese. They offer clarity, timeliness, efficiency and professionalism.

Client Testimonial Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

The HCR team are technically strong, commercially realistic and sensitive, and very good communicators.

Client Testimonial Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

All the advisers from the various specialist departments have displayed strong experience and expertise in their specific areas.

Client Testimonial Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

They have an excellent ability to provide advice in all relevant fields.

Client Testimonial Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

Laura Banks has a very high level of technical knowledge and is able to deal with sophisticated and difficult cases in a very efficient way, but always with client needs at the forefront of her work.

Client Testimonial The Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2024

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