A contested will can cause a great deal of distress and division within families at what is already a stressful and upsetting time. All the more reason to call on our experienced specialist professionals who can provide clear guidance, practical advice and strong support to help you achieve the best possible solution under difficult circumstances.
Whether you feel the need to contest a loved one’s will – perhaps you have been inadequately provided for, or left out completely – or as an executor you are dealing with another’s attempt to challenge a will, our experienced and approachable legal specialists can help.
When can a will be contested?
If you act quickly, within six months of the granting of probate, it is usually possible to challenge a will if you can prove it is unfair. Of course, this is often not as easy as it sounds, and what may seem unfair to one party may seem perfectly acceptable to another – so the fairness of a will is judged against established criteria designed to offer clear guidance to the disputing parties.
A will may be contested if it can be proved undue pressure or influence was exerted on the will-maker, or if there are grounds to believe the will-maker lacked full mental capacity at the time of writing the will.
Any evidence of fraud – a forged signature, or signs the will has been tampered with, for example – may constitute good reason to challenge the document’s validity; a will may also be deemed invalid if it was drawn up incorrectly or is in breach of current legislation.
And if a will fails to make adequate provision for a dependant – a child, for example, or a current or former spouse, civil partner, cohabitee or other dependant – it may be possible to challenge it under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
How can we help with contested wills or probate?
However you are caught up in a wills, probate or inheritance dispute, we are on your side.
Our knowledgeable team will advise you on the most appropriate course of action from the start, including any action that may be needed to preserve disputed assets before the estate is distributed.
Whenever possible, we will seek to resolve your case without the distress and expense of going to court and, by communicating regularly and in plain English, we will make sure you remain firmly in control of the process every step of the way.
Why choose us?
Our dispute resolution team has a wealth of experience in all manner of disputed matters. We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients personally and forging the strong relationships we believe are essential in order to represent your best interests in everything we do.
You can count on our dispute resolution lawyers for consistently excellent top-quality advice and support at all times and, as a valued client of our leading full-service law firm, you will have access to extensive and dependable legal and financial expertise from professionals you already know you can trust.
Getting started
Whatever your concerns, contact us as soon as possible – timely advice, given in confidence, can make all the difference.
Our respected team can also help with the full range of wills and probate services including will-writing, inheritance tax, grant of probate and deeds of variation, while our fully-qualified financial advisors can provide you with professional investment advice.
To find out how our expert dispute resolution team can help, call us on 01243 786668 or click here. Alternatively, you can email us at info@georgeide.co.uk or contact us directly using the details shown.
George Ide LLP. We’re on your side
Contact our dispute resolution team
For further information about any of our services or to book a no-obligation consultation, call us on 01243 786668, email the dispute resolution team at info@georgeide.co.uk, click here, or contact us directly using the details shown.
Client Testimonials
I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you for all you have done for us regarding our daughter’s burn. You made the process a lot less scary for her so thank you for that and we are pleased with the outcome. Your professionalism and care for our daughter throughout was very much appreciated by us all.
Beth Huxley
Paul Lewis
Thank you seems such a trivial word and yet without your tenacity, we would not be here today. For all the medical providers you sought out and your words of stability at each and every stage I cannot thank you enough. You will never know how much of a difference you have made, without your constant reassurance and steps of transition to medical assistance especially during Covid I know I would not be at this stage on my journey.
Michele Scott-Green
Paul Lewis
Right from the beginning of my journey to claim for compensation for my injuries after being knocked off my bike by a car driver, Paul Lewis has been a tower of strength. His advice, guidance and care in ensuring my claim proceeded smoothly has been First Class. Always promptly keeping me informed of progress by email. A friendly, compassionate listening ear when needed to my worries and concerns. Helping and guiding me every step of the way. I have received the best possible advice throughout, resulting in an excellent outcome, expertly and tenaciously negotiated for me by Paul. Thank You.
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Paul Lewis
Thank you for your email and thank you so much for your help with it all. You have dealt with everything brilliantly so as not to cause me any stress or worry so thank you.
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Paul Lewis
Following a very traumatic car accident I found myself in the extremely capable hands of Paul Lewis.
He spent time explaining the legal procedures and helped me through every step of my very stressful personal injury claim. Thank you for all you have done for me, you were fantastic.”
Ms L
Paul Lewis
Both Michael and I are very grateful for your good wishes and for the continued support that both you and all your colleagues at George Ide have given us through this process.
If, for any reason, we find ourselves in need of legal advice we would most definitely make your company our first choice and would also have every confidence in recommending you to others.
Wishing you every continued success in the future. Kindest Regards
Jan and Michael Gosling
Paul Lewis
I would just like to thank you for all your hard work in settling my father’s case and in coming to an agreeable settlement with the insurers. Thank you for being so patient with us, and taking time to explain things in layman’s terms. You have led us through this process with ease and my father is very happy to have reached a conclusion in this matter . All your efforts are very much appreciated. Wishing you all the best.
Nancy Ackermann
Paul Lewis
On a personal note : Thanks for everything you have done, some may say you are just doing your job but the support you offered both in the structure you set up to get me fit again, as well as the emotional counsel you gave got me through one of the most difficult and frightening situations I had dealt with to date. I will certainly be highly recommending you to anyone else that needs such a service. You are a great asset to the firm and hope they know that!
Simon Horn
Paul Lewis
Paul hi,
I am extremely happy with the outcome and the break down that you have provided. I would just like to say to you and your team my deepest thanks for the hard work and dedication you have put into my case and I. am extremely happy with results. Kind regards
Damon
Paul Lewis
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Sam Halliwell
Paul Lewis
Just to confirm the safe receipt of the settlement money into my account,and also want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work not just regarding the fee but also treatment wich help me getting in track with normal life after the accident. Again many thanks for all your hard work.
Mauricio Goncalves
Paul Lewis
I would like to inform you that I have received the money and I am very happy about the amount. I would like to thank you for the help and for always having time to write back to my emails. You were always in contact with me. I will recommend you and only you to my friends. Regards,
Anna Pomorska
Paul Lewis
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