Contentious Probate.

Contentious Probate Solicitors for Probate Disputes & Will Challenges.

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.

Key Contact

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 2024 edition of The Legal 500 states: “The practice continues to be busy advising on various claims under the Inheritance Act as well as a variety of probate disputes relating to challenges to wills. It is also skilled at advising on disputes and applications to remove executors/administrators”.

Claire Vale
Claire Vale
Associate Solicitor
Contentious Probate

Contested Probate & Will Dispute Resolution

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.

Our Contentious Probate Expertise

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.

How we can help when disputes arise

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.

Legal Directory Recommendations

In The Legal 500 2024 directory the Contentious Probate department is ranked in Tier Three for the West Midlands which states, ‘The practice continues to be busy advising on various claims under the Inheritance Act as well as a variety of probate disputes relating to challenges to wills. It is also skilled at advising on disputes and applications to remove executors/administrators.’

Your Contentious Probate Questions Answered

Who can contest a will?

In the vast majority of cases, a will is contested by a family member. For example:

  • A spouse or civil partner
  • A partner who has lived with the deceased for two years or more
  • A former spouse
  • A child
  • A step-child
  • A dependent

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.

What are the grounds for contesting a will?

Disputes often arise over the division of assets or the exclusion of an expected beneficiary completely.

Grounds for contesting a will can include:

  • The will was unsigned
  • It was not witnessed properly
  • Doubt over the validity of the will
  • The deceased did not have the mental capacity to make a will at the time
  • The deceased was influenced or coerced into making the will
  • Impropriety on the behalf of the executors or trustees
  • The solicitor that drafted the will did so negligently
  • The will fails to adequately provide for family members and dependents of the deceased
  • Forgery and fraud
Testimonials

What our clients say.

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.

Michael
via ReviewSolicitors

I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston
Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones
via ReviewSolicitors

An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric
via ReviewSolicitors

From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins
via ReviewSolicitors

Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson
Telford

Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather
via ReviewSolicitors

Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker
Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer
UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett
via ReviewSolicitors

Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim
via ReviewSolicitors

We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd
Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown
via ReviewSolicitors

Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe
via ReviewSolicitors

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.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne
Llanfyllin

Contact Lanyon Bowdler’s Contentious Probate Lawyers

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.

Our people

Meet the team.

Mandy Brookfield
Mandy Brookfield
Litigation Assistant
Contentious Probate
Claire Vale
Claire Vale
Associate Solicitor
Contentious Probate
Knowledge

Case studies.

Case Study
Group having a meeting

Nothing Left to Partner

The claimant lived in a house belonging to her deceased partner, but she had helped to pay the mortgage on the property ...
Claire Vale • 26 Feb 2024
Knowledge

Latest knowledge.

Podcast icon Podcast

LISTEN AGAIN: Estates and Farming Disputes – Edward Rees and Claire Vale

The various types of farming disputes affecting the estates of farmers - the farm owner hasn't left a will, or when bene...
Published • 12 Aug 2024
Blog

Farm Disputes

Farms often present a twin dilemma for farm owners when they are contemplating making a will: 1) how to facilitate ...
Claire Vale • 03 Jul 2024
Podcast icon Podcast

Financial Abuse by Attorneys – Edward Rees and Claire Vale

Attorneys manage the estate of a donor whilst they're still alive and Claire is seeing an increase in financial abuse wh...
Published • 01 Apr 2024
Case Study
Group having a meeting

Nothing Left to Partner

The claimant lived in a house belonging to her deceased partner, but she had helped to pay the mortgage on the property ...
Claire Vale • 26 Feb 2024
Podcast icon Podcast

The Law Behind Predatory Marriages – Edward Rees and Claire Vale

People get married for many reasons but in cases of predatory marriages, the victim will be vulnerable....
Published • 15 Jan 2024
Blog

What Is a Health & Welfare Lasting Powe...

A Health & Welfare LPA gives authority to an attorney(s) in relation to the donor's (the person who has created the...
Angharad Hird • 26 Oct 2023
Blog

Inheritance Wars (Episode 4)

This week’s episode of “Inheritance Wars – Who Gets the Money?” on Channel 5, featured the case of Brett McLean and...
Claire Vale • 09 Oct 2023
Blog

Inheritance Wars (Episode 3)

This episode featured the disturbing case of Joan Blass and her daughter, Daphne Franks. Joan was an 87 year old wi...
Claire Vale • 03 Oct 2023
Blog

Inheritance Wars (Episode 2)

This week’s episode of Channel 5’s “Inheritance Wars” featured two more legal cases relating to inheritance dispute...
Claire Vale • 28 Sep 2023
Blog

Inheritance (Episode 1)

The first episode of a new series called “Inheritance” aired on Monday 4 September on Channel 5. It is a fact-based...
Claire Vale • 26 Sep 2023
Blog

Joint Bank Accounts

Although joint bank accounts often automatically pass to the survivor on the death of the other account holder, thi...
Claire Vale • 07 Sep 2023
Blog

Predatory Marriages

“Predatory marriage” is a non-legal term commonly used to describe those marriages which take place where one of th...
Claire Vale • 06 Apr 2023
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