The death of a family member or loved one can be an extremely difficult time. If a Will has been left behind, the content can often cause surprise and upset to remaining family members. If there was no Will, family members often do not know where they stand.

Challenging a Will

Family relationships tend to be complicated at the best of times, but when a loved one passes away, tensions heighten and things can get out of hand very quickly. Disputes can occur as to how things should be done, what the recently deceased would have wanted and who gets what.

The problems that arise will largely depend on whether or not a Will was made by the recently deceased. For example, should there not be a Will, it could be that executors or administrators are not administering the Will in accordance with the ‘intestacy rules’. ‘Intestacy rules’ are a set of strict guidelines setting out how an estate should be administered where the deceased has passed away without having made a Will.

Problems could also include concerns about the validity of a Will, the failure to provide for a dependent in the Will, or concerns about the honesty of the executors or administrators in general.

Whatever the issue, our legal disputes solicitors can assist in guiding you through this complicated and sensitive area of law. We will explain the law in a clear and concise way to enable you to make difficult decisions on how you want to proceed.

Important things to consider

Receiving legal advice at an early stage ensures that you are made aware of your legal rights. You will then be able to make an informed and confident decision whether or not to pursue the matter and what evidence you might need to do so. In some cases, it may mean that animosity within a family is prevented.

Why use Fisher Meredith?

Fisher Meredith is an award winning London law firm with offices in Richmond, Surrey and Kennington, London. Our Dispute Resolution solicitors have an outstanding reputation for acting on behalf of individuals, businesses and organisations with highly successful results.

For 35 years, Fisher Meredith has developed a reputation for being approachable and “going the extra mile” for its clients whilst maintaining ethical and socially responsible standards.

Fisher Meredith’s Dispute Resolution Department is lead by John Turner who is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). John’s department specialises in contentious probate cases and recognises that these matters can be incredibly sensitive requiring the utmost care and attention.

What should I do now?

If you plan on contesting a will, our Dispute Resolution solicitors can provide you with quality advice to achieve the best possible outcome.

For initial advice or to arrange a meeting with one of our solicitors, please contact our helpline on 0800 014 7445.