
Who Can Inherit If Someone Dies Without A Will? – The Rules Of Intestacy
In the absence of a will, the distribution of your estate is governed by the laws of intestacy. Here’s a breakdown of who stands to inherit:
Losing a loved one is hard enough without worrying that their will might be unfair, invalid or influenced by someone else.
Our specialist contesting a will solicitors help families resolve inheritance disputes sensitively but firmly, guiding you through every stage of challenging a will or bringing a contentious probate claim.
Whether you are an executor facing a claim, or a beneficiary who believes you have been treated unfairly, we’ll explain your options clearly and work to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
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You may be able to contest a Will for the following reasons:
Our team advises on all types of will disputes, including:
To make a valid will, a person must understand the nature and effect of the will, the extent of their property and the claims of those who might expect to inherit. If there are concerns about illness, dementia or confusion at the time the will was made, a claim based on lack of capacity may be possible.
If someone applied pressure or manipulated the person making the will to benefit themselves, the will may be set aside for undue influence. These cases can be complex, relying heavily on witness evidence and documents. Our team will help you gather the information needed to support your claim.
A will must meet certain formal requirements. For example, it must be in writing, signed and correctly witnessed. If these rules were not followed, the will may be invalid, and a previous will or the rules of intestacy may apply.
If you were financially dependent on the person who has died, or you are a close family member who has not been reasonably provided for, you may be able to bring a claim under the Inheritance Act 1975. These claims often arise where someone is excluded from a will or left a smaller share than they need.
Complete the form below or contact us directly. Our solicitors will review your situation and confirm your eligibility in a free consultation.
You may be able to contest a will if you are:
Our solicitors for contesting a will will quickly tell you if you are eligible to bring a claim and what your chances of success are.
We, can usually offer to act on a no win no fee service for Inheritance Act claims.
If you would like to discuss a matter or require some more information please contact us via phone or email to arrange a free no obligation consultation.
Explore our latest guides and expert insights on contesting a will. Learn what can make a will invalid, who may be entitled to challenge it, and how to strengthen your case.
Our contentious probate specialists act for clients across the UK on a wide range of estate and inheritance disputes:
✅ Challenging the validity of a will
✅ Defending claims brought against an estate
✅ Inheritance Act claims
✅ Executor and trustee disputes
✅ Claims involving undue influence or capacity issues
✅ Removing executors for misconduct
✅ Beneficiary disputes
✅ Mediation and negotiated settlements
We focus on early resolution wherever possible, reducing stress and cost while protecting your position.
We assess the strength of your case and explain your options in plain, transparent language.
We gather relevant evidence—medical records, witness statements, earlier wills and financial information.
Many disputes can be resolved without court action. We aim to reach an agreement swiftly and amicably.
If litigation becomes necessary, our experienced solicitors will represent you with clarity, determination and care.
We specialise in contested wills and estate disputes.
We offer fixed-fee options and flexible funding arrangements, including no-win, no-fee where appropriate.
We understand the emotional weight of these disputes. Our team balances legal precision with empathy and discretion.
Our solicitors successfully resolve complex and high-value disputes through both negotiation and court representation.
Clients across the UK trust us for our exceptional service, reflected in our 4.9 out of 5 Trustpilot rating.
Our experienced Will Dispute Solicitors are here to guide you every step of the way. With specialist expertise in contentious probate and inheritance disputes, we provide clear, strategic legal representation to protect your rights and secure a fair outcome.
Contact NJS Law today to discuss your will dispute with a specialist solicitor. Call or email us now to get expert advice and begin your case.
Different claims carry strict deadlines:
Inheritance Act claims: usually within 6 months of probate
Will validity challenges: ideally made before probate is granted
Executor disputes: no fixed time limit, but early action helps protect the estate
If you’re unsure about timing, contact us as soon as possible—delays may affect your rights.
Stay up to date with the latest news on contesting a will claims. Our blog shares real client case results, recent compensation awards, and guidance from our solicitors to help you understand how the claims process works in practice.

In the absence of a will, the distribution of your estate is governed by the laws of intestacy. Here’s a breakdown of who stands to inherit:

If someone is unfortunate enough to need hospital treatment, then they will often be asked who they want to be regarded as their “Next of Kin”.
A Beneficiary is someone who stands to inherit all or part of an Estate from someone who has died.

We are often contacted by people who claim that a Will is invalid because it was made as a result of “undue influence”. Equally we are often contacted by beneficiaries who claim that a will is valid – and they deny there was any undue influence. So, let’s take a look at the law.
The timeframe varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether negotiation or court proceedings are needed.
Many disputes are resolved within a few months, while more complex cases may take longer. Early legal advice can help speed up the process.
Not necessarily. Most will disputes are settled through negotiation or mediation. Court is typically a last resort and only used when agreement cannot be reached.
You may have grounds if you believe the will is invalid, you were financially dependent on the deceased, or you’ve been unfairly left out. Our solicitors can assess your situation during a free initial consultation.
Yes. NJS Law can place a caveat to temporarily prevent probate from being issued.
In some cases it is possible to enter a caveat or apply for an injunction to prevent the grant of probate or the distribution of estate assets while the dispute is resolved. We can advise you on whether this is appropriate.
Most people are unsure at first—our free assessment helps you understand your position without pressure.
Evidence may include medical records, previous wills, witness statements, financial documents, or proof of undue influence.
NJS Law will help identify and gather the evidence needed to support your case.
Yes. If an executor is acting improperly, causing undue delays, or failing to administer the estate correctly, the court can remove or replace them.
In some cases, the court may allow late claims, but this is not guaranteed. It’s essential to seek immediate legal advice if you’re concerned about deadlines.
Yes, but it may be more complicated. Some claims, like Inheritance Act claims, have strict time limits, while validity challenges may still proceed. Early action always strengthens your position.
Disputes can be sensitive, but mediation and negotiation can help resolve matters without escalating conflict. NJS Law focuses on achieving fair outcomes while minimising stress and family tension.
If someone dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed under intestacy rules. You may still be able to challenge how the estate is divided, depending on your relationship and dependency.
Yes. A will’s age does not prevent it from being challenged. The key question is whether it was valid when created and whether current circumstances justify a claim.
Stepchildren may have rights under the Inheritance Act if they were financially dependent on the deceased. They may also have grounds if named in a previous will.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of the case. NJS Law offers clear, transparent pricing and may be able to provide fixed fees or no-win, no-fee funding for suitable cases.
Adele is a qualified solicitor with over 20 years experience working in the legal sector, predominantly within Litigation.
Adele is the member of the management team responsible for the firms strategy, including the growth of a number of key areas of legal practice, heading up the Housing Disrepair and Probate Teams. She also has a keen interest in technology, in particular automation, and will be working on optimising the firm’s processes.
In her spare time Adele enjoys walking the family cockapoo, watching her son play sport, travelling to new places and is obsessed with all things interiors!