Contentious Probate Solicitors
Contentious probate solicitors helping you resolve estate and will disputes
When someone passes away, it can sadly lead to disagreements over the will, the way the estate is managed, or the actions of executors. These disputes often arise at an emotionally difficult time, adding legal stress to personal grief.
That’s where we come in. Our contentious probate solicitors help you contest a will, challenge executor decisions, and protect your rights as a beneficiary or family member. With years of experience in resolving probate conflicts, we guide you through every legal step — with clarity, care and results.
We support clients with:
- Removing or replacing executors who fail to act in the estate’s best interests.
- Applying to the court for clear legal directions on estate administration.
- Recovering assets wrongly held by executors or beneficiaries.
- Managing probate procedures, including accepting or refusing a will through citation.
- Securing key documents, such as wills or testamentary letters, via legal channels.
- Forcing executors to account for estate assets through inventory orders.
- Protecting your position by filing caveats and challenging invalid wills.
- Making or defending claims, whether as a beneficiary or on behalf of an estate.
- Advising executors, administrators and beneficiaries during estate disputes.
Request legal advice on contentious probate
Why choose us as your contentious probate solicitors?
Our approach to contentious probate combines empathy with clarity, helping you resolve estate disputes with confidence and care. Here's why families trust us:
- Specialist guidance, tailored to you – We resolve will disputes, inheritance claims, and executor issues with expert advice grounded in years of experience.
- Clear, compassionate service – You’ll get honest updates, plain-language answers, and a solicitor who understands the emotional side of probate.
- Proven results and reputation – For over 150 years, Higgs LLP has delivered people-first legal excellence, earning a 4.9* client rating on Review Solicitors.
- Respected by the legal community – Our team includes members of STEP and ACTAPS, and we’re ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers HNW for private wealth work.
Meet our contentious probate solicitors
Craig Ridge
Partner and Head of Contentious Probate
Elizabeth Tolmie
Associate - Contentious Probate
Joseph Martin
Senior Associate - Contentious Probate
Georgia McCutcheon
Trainee Solicitor - Contentious Probate
Georgia Stott
Senior Associate - Contentious Probate
Lillie Fisher
Trainee Solicitor - Contentious Probate
What is contentious probate?
Contentious probate involves disputes over wills, estates, or trusts, often triggered after someone passes away.
These cases may include:
- Challenges to the validity of a will
- Conflicts between executors and trustees
- Disputes among beneficiaries over how an estate is distributed
- Claims by individuals who believe they were wrongly excluded from a will or trust
- Legal issues between the estate and creditors or debtors
Whether you're questioning a will, managing an estate under scrutiny, or facing a conflict over inheritance, contentious probate covers the legal process of resolving these disputes.
What does a contentious probate solicitor do?
A contentious probate solicitor helps resolve disputes involving wills, estates and trusts. They advise and represent:
- Executors, when facing claims or challenges over how they manage an estate
- Beneficiaries, who may be disputing their entitlement or the will's validity
- Trustees, who are drawn into disputes about how trusts are administered
- Other parties, such as family members, creditors or excluded individuals
Our solicitors work to settle disputes before court action where possible - through negotiation, mediation or formal correspondence. When needed, they represent clients in probate litigation, including court claims to contest wills, remove executors, or protect inheritance rights.
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When and why you might need a contentious probate solicitor?
Contentious probate claims arise when someone believes that a will, trust, or estate is being mismanaged or distributed unfairly. These disputes often centre on the behaviour of executors, the exclusion of beneficiaries, or concerns about the validity of a will.
Typical grounds for making a claim include:
- Executor misconduct - where an executor delays administration, withholds information, or fails to follow the will’s terms.
- Beneficiary disputes - such as disagreements over how assets are shared or whether a will reflects the deceased’s intentions.
- Inheritance Act claims - when someone left out of a will, or given too little, seeks greater provision from the estate.
- Beneficial interest claims - for example, when someone living in estate property believes they have a financial interest based on past contributions or promises.
- Challenges to will validity - due to suspected undue influence, fraud, or lack of mental capacity.
Strong evidence is crucial. Even if a claim feels justified, without documentation to prove misconduct or unfair treatment, the court is unlikely to intervene. Often, this evidence is gathered during the dispute, such as emails, letters, or financial records that highlight unreasonable behaviour or breaches of duty.
What are the time limits for contentious probate claims?
Time limits for contentious probate claims depend on the type of claim you're bringing. While some probate disputes have strict legal deadlines, others must simply be brought within a reasonable timeframe. Here’s what you need to know:
- Inheritance Act claims - If you’re seeking greater provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, your claim must be made within 6 months of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. After that, you’ll need the court’s permission.
- Will validity challenges - There is no formal time limit to contest a will on grounds such as undue influence, fraud, or lack of mental capacity. However, delays can harm your case — the court expects claims to be made as soon as reasonably possible.
- Contractual claims - If the claim is based on a contract involving the estate (such as an agreement to leave property), the time limit is usually 6 years, depending on the nature of the contract.
In all cases, it’s essential to act quickly. Delays may impact your ability to access evidence or weaken your legal position.
How much does a contentious probate claim cost?
The cost of a contentious probate claim depends on how the dispute is resolved, and how cooperative the parties are.
- Early settlement or mediation – If the dispute is resolved without court involvement, costs typically range between £5,000 and £12,000.
- Court proceedings – If the matter proceeds to a contested hearing, each side may spend tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees by the time the case concludes.
Legal costs can increase quickly if the dispute is prolonged or complex. Wherever possible, we help clients resolve claims early to minimise cost, stress and delay.
How does the estate’s value affect a probate dispute?
The value of the estate or trust plays a critical role in deciding whether it’s worth pursuing a contentious probate or trust claim. These disputes can be legally complex, emotionally taxing, and financially demanding, so it’s essential to consider whether the likely outcome justifies the cost.
- If the estate is relatively small, it may not be proportionate to enter a lengthy legal dispute.
- For higher-value estates, the cost–benefit balance often supports action, especially where misconduct or unfair treatment is involved.
If the estate’s value is uncertain, our estate administration team can help assess it. We may also arrange formal valuations for property or other assets. Clarifying what the deceased owned early in the process is vital - although that can itself become part of the dispute.
