One of the most bitter and increasingly frequent Wills disputes cases we are currently seeing is that where the children of a deceased parent seek our advice after suspecting their step-parent has changed the Will they created whilst their parent was alive and disinherited them in favour of their (the step-parent’s) own biological children.
A widow whose husband of 66 years excluded her and their four daughters from his will, and left everything to their two sons, has won a high court case for a share of an estate worth more than £1m.
The recent release of Prince Harry’s autobiography, Spare, illustrates just how fractious family relationships can be. Although most families would be hard pressed to match the Windsor in both wealth and the occasional rancour towards each other, when it comes to money and inheritances, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (Inheritance Act 1975) can demonstrate that each unhappy family is indeed “unhappy in its own way”.
What is Contentious Probate?
Contentious Probate is the legal processes for challenging how an estate is to be distributed when someone dies.
One of the hardest things to go through is the loss of a loved one, and if there is a disagreement over their Will or estate, it can make things even more upsetting. In these circumstances, the legal procedure for determining how an estate should be allocated is known as contentious probate. If they died without a will – or if the will is contested in any manner – you may require the help of a solicitor to ensure that everything is managed fairly.
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