Contentious Probate Solicitors

We act on behalf of beneficiaries, family members, stepchildren, cohabitees, executors and administrators. We always seek to resolve matters out of court where appropriate, though we have extensive experience in probate litigation when court action becomes necessary. Unlike most other law firms, your first, no obligation conversation will be with an experienced specialist solicitor.

Talk to one of our team members on 0330 111 3131 or via our online enquiry form.

Contentious probate services we offer in Sale, Manchester and Chester

Challenging a Will

If you believe a Will doesn’t reflect what your loved one truly intended, we’ll help you understand whether you have grounds to challenge it. We handle claims based on lack of mental capacity, undue influence, fraud, or technical errors in how the Will was made. Our contested probate solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester will look at the facts of your situation and tell you honestly whether a challenge is worth pursuing.

Defending a Will against a dispute

Executors and beneficiaries often need to defend a valid Will against unfair challenges. We act for those protecting an estate, gathering the evidence needed to show the Will is legitimate and should stand. We’ll also advise on whether it makes sense to negotiate a settlement or defend the matter through to a conclusion.

Inheritance Act claims

If you’ve been left out of a Will or not adequately provided for, you may be able to make a claim for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance Act. We represent spouses, children, stepchildren, cohabitees and anyone else who was financially dependent on the deceased. There are strict time limits for these claims, so it’s important to get advice early.

Promises and gifts before death

When someone promises you property, money, or other assets during their lifetime but dies before fulfilling that promise, you may have a claim under the doctrine of proprietary estoppel. These cases often involve promises that you’d inherit the family home or business, particularly where you’ve acted on those promises, perhaps caring for the deceased, working in a family business, or making life decisions based on what you were told. We’ll assess whether you have a valid claim and advise on the best approach to pursue it.

Estate administration disputes

Concerns about how an estate is being administered are one of the most frequent issues we handle. You may be worried about unexplained delays, lack of communication from the executor, assets going missing, or executors making decisions that don’t seem right. These concerns often fall short of formal misconduct but still cause significant anxiety for beneficiaries. We can step in to review the administration, correspond with executors or their solicitors, and ensure you get the information and reassurance you’re entitled to.

When executors aren’t doing their job properly, whether through delays, poor decisions or suspected misconduct, we advise beneficiaries on holding executors to account and, where necessary, removing them from their position.

Financial abuse

Financial abuse of elderly or vulnerable people is increasingly common and often only comes to light after death. If you suspect that someone improperly took money from the deceased’s accounts, coerced them into making gifts or loans, or exploited their position of trust, we can investigate and pursue claims to recover assets for the estate.

These cases require careful handling of complex evidence, including bank records, care home records, and witness testimony. We’ll work with forensic accountants where necessary to build a strong case.

Trust disputes

Disputes involving trusts require specialist knowledge of both trust law and probate procedures. We handle claims where trustees aren’t fulfilling their duties properly, disputes over trust interpretation, removal of trustees, and conflicts between trustees and beneficiaries. Whether you’re a trustee facing a challenge or a beneficiary concerned about how a trust is being administered, we’ll give you clear advice on your rights and the most effective way to resolve the matter.

Court of Protection disputes

When someone lacks mental capacity, disputes can arise over their property, financial affairs, or welfare decisions. We handle contentious Court of Protection matters including challenges to deputyship appointments, disagreements between family members about care decisions, and concerns about financial abuse of vulnerable adults.

We also advise on safeguarding matters where there are concerns about how someone’s affairs are being managed. Our team works closely with our Court of Protection specialists to provide comprehensive advice in these sensitive cases.