Can You Contest a Will?
If you are wondering whether you can contest a Will, challenge a Will, or deal with an inheritance dispute, it is sensible to get an early indication before the estate administration goes too far.
Not every inheritance dispute is really a challenge to the Will itself. Some cases are about whether the Will is valid. Others are about whether the estate has failed to make reasonable financial provision.
The important thing is not to guess.
Start here: Free Claim Checker
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Fern Wills & LPAs can introduce suitable matters to IDR Law, a specialist firm dealing exclusively with contentious wills, probate and trust disputes. As a simple first step, you can use the free Claim Checker to get an early indication of whether your concerns may merit further attention.
A sensible first step, without pressure
Will disputes, inheritance disputes and probate disputes are often emotionally draining. They can also be legally complex.
The Claim Checker is designed to help you explain what has happened and get an early indication of whether there may be grounds for a claim.
It is not a commitment to start a case. It is a structured first step, so you can get your bearings before deciding whether specialist legal advice is needed.
Why people question a Will
People usually start asking questions for one of two reasons.
The first is concern that the Will itself may not be valid.
The second is concern that, even if the Will is valid, a husband, wife, civil partner, child, dependant, or other eligible person may not have been left with reasonable financial provision.
Common examples include:
- concerns that the person making the Will did not have the required mental capacity at the time
- worries that they were pressured or unduly influenced
- suspicion that the Will was forged or altered
- concerns that the Will was not signed or witnessed properly
- a husband, wife, civil partner, child, dependant or other eligible person being left without reasonable financial provision
Not every concern leads to a successful claim. Equally, not every valid claim is obvious straight away. That is why an informed first review matters.
Specialist support if the matter needs more than a quick answer
Where a matter needs more than an initial sense check, Fern Wills & LPAs can introduce you to IDR Law.
IDR Law is a specialist firm dealing exclusively with contentious wills, probate and trust disputes.
That does not mean every case should be pursued. It does mean that, where a dispute may be real, you can be introduced to a team that deals with this work every day.
Who may need advice in this area
Every case turns on its own facts, but people who often need advice in this area include:
- husbands, wives and civil partners
- former spouses or former civil partners in some cases
- children
- cohabiting partners
- people who were financially dependent on the person who died
- executors or beneficiaries concerned about the validity of a Will
- family members worried about suspicious circumstances
If you are unsure whether you fall into one of these categories, that is exactly the kind of point the Claim Checker is there to help explore early on.
Why timing matters
Inheritance and estate disputes can be time-sensitive.
Different types of claim can involve different legal deadlines, and delay can also make matters harder in other ways, especially once money or property has started to move.
If something does not feel right, it is usually better to get an early indication than to leave it until later.
What happens after the Claim Checker
The first step is straightforward.
You complete the free online Claim Checker and provide some key details about the estate and your concerns.
From there, you receive an initial indication of whether the matter may be worth exploring further.
If it does, and you want to take it further, Fern Wills & LPAs can introduce you to IDR Law for specialist advice.
There is no obligation to take matters further simply because you have used the checker.
A concern does not have to be fully formed before you ask about it. If something feels wrong, an early sense check is often the right place to start.
Is the Claim Checker free?
Yes. It is designed as a free first step to help you understand whether your concerns may be worth exploring further. [Free Claim Checker]
Will I get legal advice straight away?
The Claim Checker is not a substitute for full legal advice. It is an early screening step. If the matter appears to have substance and you want to take it further, specialist legal advice can then follow.
What kinds of cases might be worth exploring further?
That depends on the facts, but common themes include lack of capacity, undue influence, suspicious circumstances, problems with signing and witnessing, fraud, and claims for reasonable financial provision.
What if I am not sure whether I have enough information yet?
That is common. Many people start with concerns rather than a complete set of facts. The purpose of the Claim Checker is to help identify whether those concerns may be worth exploring further.
How quickly should I act?
As soon as reasonably possible. Estate disputes can be time-sensitive, so early advice is usually better than late advice.
A brief note about our role
Fern Wills & LPAs is not a contentious probate law firm.
Where appropriate, we introduce inheritance dispute matters to IDR Law, a specialist firm in this area. If you go on to instruct them, Fern Wills & LPAs may receive a fee share. This does not increase the fees you pay, and any legal advice you receive remains independent.
