Will, Probate and Estates Disputes Solicitors

We have years experience of dealing sensitively with disputes or queries arising out of Wills or estates

Our team is dedicated to handling disputes with the utmost care and respect for the unique needs of each client.

Dispute Resolution

Will, probate & estates disputes

Will, probate & estates disputes FAQs

A Will is always the starting point. If one has been made it should clearly set out the wishes of the deceased. If you know that there is a Will and believe that you stand to benefit from it, then you should ask the executors for a copy.

If you know that there is a Will, but it cannot be found, enquiries should be made of the deceased’s Solicitors, bank or relatives. It may also be necessary to search the deceased’s property or to place an advertisement for the missing Will.

If you are unsure whether the deceased made a Will, then you can make a Standing Search at the local Probate Registry. This should tell you if probate has been obtained on the deceased’s Will and give you details of the executors or, if there is no Will, who has been appointed as the personal representative to administer the deceased’s estate.

A valid Will must reflect the intentions of the deceased. If there is evidence to suggest that the deceased did not understand what they were signing because of a physical or mental illness, or there is evidence to suggest they may have been put under pressure to sign, then the Will may be invalid. If you think that this may be the case, then you should speak to a specialist solicitor straight away. It is important to act before the administration of the estate begins; once assets have been distributed it is much more difficult to put things right.

If the deceased’s Will was prepared by a solicitor and you have concerns about the validity of the Will, then you may be entitled to obtain information from the deceased’s Solicitors concerning the circumstances in which the Will was made and the expression of the deceased’s wishes. You can also ask for copies of documents from the solicitor’s file. It is best to get some legal advice on this before seeking this information because it is important you ask for the right information in the correct manner.

Sometimes in more complex estates, issues can arise as to what the deceased intended by a term of the Will. If you believe that a term of the Will does not reflect the deceased’s intentions, or is ambiguous, you may be able to ask the Court to rectify unclear terms in the Will to more accurately reflect the deceased’s intentions. Speak to one of our specialist Solicitors as soon as possible. It is important to resolve the situation before the distribution of the estate’s assets begins.

Sometimes the Will does not provide reasonable financial provision for the deceased’s close family members. If you are a spouse, partner, child or someone maintained by the deceased, and the Will does not provide adequately for you, then you may have a claim for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Please note that there is a very strict time limit for bringing claims under the Act, which is six months from the date of the Grant of Probate. If you do not issue a claim within that period then you may lose your right to do so, so act quickly.

If you bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, then you may be able to apply to the court for interim payments to ease your financial situation while you wait for the court to consider your case.

The executor is under a duty to administer the estate as soon as possible. If they delay without good reason then you can take steps to force them to act or, if necessary, have them replaced. Get legal advice on the best way of achieving this.

The process of administering the estate can lead to disagreements between executors, personal representatives and beneficiaries. Disputes can be about all sorts of things concerning how the deceased’s assets are managed. It is always best to try and sort these out by agreement, but if this is not possible then it may be necessary to ask a court to intervene and give directions to the executors or personal representatives as to how the estate should be progressed.

You may not stand to benefit from a Will, but you may be the executor or the personal representative who needs advice on administering the estate. We are here to help in those situations too. Disputed debts, claims on the estate, and the removal of occupiers from the deceased’s property are just some of the problems you could come up against. It’s a good idea to get expert legal advice before tackling these issues yourself because a steer in the right direction usually saves time, money and difficulties later on.

At Eric Robinson Solicitors we offer our clients a no obligation, one-hour initial fixed fee meeting for £125 plus VAT (£150). During that hour, we will advise you on the merits and risks of any claim, the options open to you for progressing the matter, and what you should do next.

We would say that, wouldn’t we? But the reality is that landlord and tenant law has all sorts of intricacies which can catch people out. It is partly about process, but it is also something which if used properly can create a robust platform for the landlord’s business. That’s where specialist legal knowledge helps grow and protect landlords’ commercial interests.

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See what our customers say…

Excellent

Based on 444 reviews
21 Nov 2024

Very impressed

A very responsive and timely service provided by Terry Campbell-Barnard at Eric Robinson in the preparation of new wills for my wife and I. We would thoroughly recommend to anyone else looking for a similar service.


Russell Haywood
21 Nov 2024

I can’t thank Syliva enough at Eric…

I can’t thank Syliva enough at Eric Robinson for the work she put in for the property I was buying. She was quick and responsive in all areas with the process. I can’t recommend her enough.


Gina Wilson
20 Nov 2024

Chauffeur de poids lourds grutier

Chauffeur de poids lourds grutier


Dorey Mayola
19 Nov 2024

So professional

Sarah at Eric Robinson was absolutely brilliant. I’m just going to leave it at that. Cheers Tony G


Tony Gover
18 Nov 2024

Thank you Sajith

We recently completed the purchase of our first home and Sajith Pillai at Eric Robinson Solicitors provided excellent services. He is very professional and highly experienced in conveyancing. Answered all our queries patiently and produced a great work. We undoubtably recommend Sajith Pillai for conveyancing works.


Mr P Philip
15 Nov 2024

Trustees/Land Registry

Terry Campbell-Barnard oversaw our change of trustees and lodged this with the Land Registry without problem


Elysabeth Sheppard
21 Nov 2024

Very impressed

A very responsive and timely service provided by Terry Campbell-Barnard at Eric Robinson in the preparation of new wills for my wife and I. We would thoroughly recommend to anyone else looking for a similar service.


Russell Haywood
21 Nov 2024

I can’t thank Syliva enough at Eric…

I can’t thank Syliva enough at Eric Robinson for the work she put in for the property I was buying. She was quick and responsive in all areas with the process. I can’t recommend her enough.


Gina Wilson
20 Nov 2024

Chauffeur de poids lourds grutier

Chauffeur de poids lourds grutier


Dorey Mayola
19 Nov 2024

So professional

Sarah at Eric Robinson was absolutely brilliant. I’m just going to leave it at that. Cheers Tony G


Tony Gover
18 Nov 2024

Thank you Sajith

We recently completed the purchase of our first home and Sajith Pillai at Eric Robinson Solicitors provided excellent services. He is very professional and highly experienced in conveyancing. Answered all our queries patiently and produced a great work. We undoubtably recommend Sajith Pillai for conveyancing works.


Mr P Philip
15 Nov 2024

Trustees/Land Registry

Terry Campbell-Barnard oversaw our change of trustees and lodged this with the Land Registry without problem


Elysabeth Sheppard
View all reviews

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Why choose Eric Robinson Solicitors?

  • Straightforward jargon free advice that is tailored to your specific needs
  • Cost effective legal services that give you peace of mind
  • Providing expert and trustworthy legal advice for over 60 years
  • 6 offices located throughout Hampshire and London