Contentious probate solicitors (will & trust disputes)

Our contentious probate solicitors provide expert advice on will, trust and estate disputes, helping clients protect their interests and resolve complex issues.

Specialist advice for resolving will, trust and estate disputes with sensitivity and expertise.

Disputes involving wills, trusts and estates can be complex, sensitive and highly personal. Whether you are challenging the validity of a will, facing a dispute over an inheritance, or involved in disagreements between beneficiaries, executors or trustees, obtaining specialist legal advice is essential.

Our contentious probate solicitors provide clear, strategic advice to help clients navigate disputes and protect their interests. We combine expertise in probate litigation with a sensitive understanding of the personal circumstances behind these matters, working with you to explore practical solutions and achieve the best possible outcome.

We have extensive and proven experience advising on contentious probate matters.
We work proactively to identify opportunities for early resolution through negotiation, mediation, and other alternative resolution methods.

We take the time to understand your objectives and priorities and tailor our advice and strategy accordingly.
As a full service law firm, we provide comprehensive support for disputes that involve multiple legal issues.

Contentious probate services

Trust disputes

Our lawyers routinely advise clients on a range of complex issues and disputes, including:

Claims to remove or replace trustees
Breach of trust actions
Beneficiaries’ rights to information

Property claims
Varying the terms of a trust

Challenging a will

While the will is the last thing loved ones want to think about when someone passes away, disputes relating to the settlement of estates do occur and can be emotive and stressful for all parties. Our lawyers employ all forms of dispute resolution and always try to avoid recourse to litigation that could cause significant long-term damage to relationships.

We routinely act on challenges to wills based on:

Invalid execution
Lack of mental capacity to make a will
Applications for the removal of executors and the appointment of alternative executors to complete the administration of an estate.

Lack of want of knowledge and approval
Undue influence
Fraudulent wills including fraudulent calumny
Forged wills
Rectification of wills

Inheritance act disputes

The Inheritance Act allows certain categories of people to claim against a deceased’s estate on the grounds that the will (or intestacy rules if there is no will) does not make reasonable financial provision for them. This includes spouses, children (including adult children, adopted children and, in certain circumstances, children treated by the deceased as a child of a marriage), civil partners, cohabitees (if they have been residing with the deceased for a period of at least two years immediately preceding the date of their death) and those who were being maintained by the deceased immediately prior to their death. Claims must be brought within six months of the date of the grant of probate.

Our lawyers are experienced at negotiating settlements without the need for any final hearing, usually at mediation.

Recent work

Challenging an executor

Acted for a sister in a family dispute concerning the administration of her late father’s estate. Although all three siblings had been appointed executors, the elder brother obtained the grant of probate in his sole name with powers reserved to the others. After more than ten years without completing the administration, and following unsuccessful attempts to resolve matters through negotiation, we applied to the High Court to remove him as executor. The application succeeded, resulting in his removal and the appointment of a replacement executor.

Defending an inheritance act claim

Acted for three adult children defending an Inheritance Act claim brought by their stepmother following their father’s death. While the children accepted the basis of the claim, they disputed its value. Following negotiations, the dispute was successfully resolved through mediation.

Trust dispute

Acted for an 18-year-old beneficiary of a trust worth an estimated £750 million to £1 billion in complex proceedings before the Royal Court of Guernsey. The case involved challenges to the validity of documents used to remove and replace the trustees, and whether the trust protector had properly exercised their powers after the court ruled the original appointments were invalid. The matter required expert advice on high-value international trust structures and the administration of significant family wealth.

Validity of wills

Acting for the residuary beneficiaries of their late father’s estate as regards the validity of a codicil to a will purportedly signed by their father but disclosed by their step-mother in circumstances such as to arouse suspicions as to whether the codicil is a genuine document or a forgery.

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like advice on a related matter, please complete the form and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.

Rather give us a call:

0118 959 7711

Why use our contentious probate solicitors

Specialist expertise in complex disputes

We recognise that probate disputes often involve sensitive family and financial issues. Our team takes a pragmatic approach, exploring negotiation and alternative solutions where appropriate while providing robust representation when formal action is required.

Support from a full-service law firm

As part of a full-service law firm, our contentious probate team can draw on expertise across private wealth, family law, property and other specialist areas to provide comprehensive advice tailored to the wider circumstances of your matter.

We are a full-service law firm

Boyes Turner is recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading law firm. We are trusted by individuals, families, beneficiaries, executors and trustees to resolve probate disputes efficiently and with confidence.