Wills, Trust and Estate Disputes

Our experienced solicitors help clients across the UK with Inheritance Act claims, contested wills and trust disputes. Whether you're a spouse, child or dependent left out of a Will, we provide expert guidance to help you secure the financial provision you deserve.

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0800 689 3607 - Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

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Inheritance Dispute Lawyers

As inheritance disputes rise dramatically, more people are contesting estates, often feeling let down by the provisions made by loved ones. These disputes typically involve claims for fair financial provision, with those bringing the claims seeking the security they need to improve their financial situation. Claimants often include surviving spouses or partners, children, and others who were financially dependent on the deceased.

The Growing Importance of Inherited Wealth

The Growing Importance of Inherited Wealth

In today’s challenging economic landscape, financial pressures affect people of all ages.

Younger Generations Struggling to save or buy homes due to high rents, student debt, childcare costs, and limited pension plans.

Middle-Aged Individuals Facing stagnant incomes, rising housing prices, and increasing mortgage rates, while also supporting children in higher education or elderly parents. Many are concerned about whether their retirement savings will be sufficient for a comfortable future.

Spouses and Cohabitees Many surviving spouses and cohabitees for whom no provision or inadequate provision has been made by their deceased partner are grappling with financial hardship.  This can be especially difficult for those who were married or cohabiting for many years, were financially dependent upon their deceased partner and played a key role in supporting them, both emotionally and financially, in building their wealth.  In such cases, the financial strain can feel even more unfair, as they may have sacrificed their career or personal goals in support of the family. Spouses and cohabitees in this situation should consider a claim to help secure the financial support they rightfully deserve.

Broader Challenges Fiscal drag and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis further exacerbate financial burdens for everyone. In this environment, inherited wealth has become an essential lifeline, providing much-needed financial stability and security for many individuals.

How We Can Help

How We Can Help

We are specialists in Probate Litigation, equipped with the knowledge and expertise to assist you in securing the inheritance you deserve. We fight for your rights and offer expert guidance throughout the legal process, ensuring that you are heard with compassion and professionalism.

Why choose Forbes Solicitors as your Inheritance Solicitors?

  • Accessibility & Responsiveness We are always available to assist and respond promptly to your needs.

  • Proactive Case Management We push cases forward and keep you updated regularly.

  • Reliable Timelines We adhere to agreed deadlines and complete tasks within reasonable timeframes.

  • Transparent Costs We follow a 'no surprises' policy, always informing you about:What actions we will takeWhat actions we will not takeWho will be handling your caseWhen each task will be completedHow much it will cost

We offer flexible pricing and payment options, including no win, no fee arrangements, so you can choose the option that best fits your needs. As your case progresses, we will continue to update you on costs.

Unless handled delicately, inheritance disputes can become drawn-out affairs. That is why we practice conflict-free mediation. As your solicitor, we can act as the negotiator with all the parties involved, including other family members and the estate executor.  With our approach, most cases are settled out of court, usually in under 12 months.

We undertake complex and high-value cases. We represent both claimants and defendants. This can be a very complicated area.  Our team has real expertise. You can therefore be assured that you will receive the best quality expert advice and service.

We are here to guide you every step of the way.  Start your journey toward justice with a free, no-obligation consultation today.

How can our Contesting a Will Dispute Solicitors help?

Our Will dispute solicitors help individuals who believe they have been unfairly treated in a Will, including those who have been left out of a Will, received an inadequate share, or have concerns about the validity of the Will.


To find out more about contesting a will in your area, visit our dedicated pages:

Manchester

London

Birmingham

Yorkshire

Our Legal Services for Wills, Trusts and Estate Disputes

Our Legal Services for Wills, Trusts and Estate Disputes

Our expert team of Will dispute solicitors provide comprehensive legal advice and representation for a wide range of disputes involving Wills, trusts and estates. We can assist you with:

  • Financial Abuse of Vulnerable Adults: Challenging the validity of lifetime gifts made by a vulnerable person or by others on their behalf such as an attorney.

  • Contesting a Will: Challenging the validity or fairness of a Will.

  • Defending a Will: Protecting a Will from challenges or disputes.

  • Poorly drafted Wills and mistakes in Wills: Rectifying mistakes in Will or resolving how to interpret a Will.

  • Unfair Inheritance: If you’ve been left out of a Will or received less than expected.

  • Estate Administration Concerns: Addressing concerns about how an estate is being managed or defending an administrator facing beneficiary complaints.

  • Trust Disputes: Resolving issues regarding the management of a trust or disputes involving trustees.

  • Negligent Advice Claims: If you believe you’ve received negligent advice regarding a Will, trust, or estate.

  • Professional Adviser Claims: If you’re a professional facing a claim related to advice given about a Will, trust, or estate.

  • Court of Protection Applications: Making or defending an application regarding the protection of someone who lacks mental capacity.

Real-Life Case Studies - Resolving Inheritance Disputes and Securing Financial Security for Our Clients

  • We were asked by our client to resolve a dispute concerning the Estate of his late son. Initially, it was understood that our client's son had died without making a Will so that his Estate was to be divided equally between his parents. The pair had separated many years before and relationships between the two were fractious. Several months after the death of our client's son his mother claimed to have located a Will made by him leaving his estate to her alone. We were able to prove that the Will was a forgery, and our client received half of a substantial estate totalling several hundred thousand pounds.

  • Our client's husband died, making a Will in which she was left nothing and passed his entire estate to two daughters of his first marriage. Our client was threatened with penury and homelessness. We succeeded in recovering a significant share of the estate for our client to provide her with financial security going forward.

  • Our client cohabited with his partner for many years. The couple lived in a property that was owned by our client's partner alone. Our client's partner died, leaving a Will passing his estate to a family member, leaving our client without a home in his retirement when he was no longer able to fund his living costs through paid employment. We succeeded in securing our client a share of the estate to help him meet his living costs going forward.

John Lambe was working on my property litigation case for just over three years. Mr Lambe was absolutely brilliant, he was extremely knowledgeable and very thorough. Mr Lambe was always patient and constantly reassuring, during those difficult three years. I would highly recommend Mr Lambe, he is an amazing solicitor.

Nella

I would like to personally thank Tom Howcroft for his fantastic approach and support on my case, I would highly recommend him to anyone who may need help with a similar sensitive issue. He was professional but also had a personal and reassuring nature that made him very approachable and it really felt that he cared about his work. I felt he really went the extra mile in his service, and I hope that his manager can be passed this information for him to get the deserved recognition. Sincere thanks again.

Ms Reilly

Nobody expects to be in this very upsetting & stressful position. Lucy & Nicola were fantastic with dealing my probate dispute. Both very professional, supportive & tenacious, offering valued advice & support whenever needed. Everything was explained clearly throughout the process & I was updated regularly. I really can’t recommend or thank them enough.

Karen

The go-to law firm for contentious probate. Growing leaders in the practice area. Superb term. Extremely responsive. Always client-focused.

Legal 500

Dawn guided me through my options across 10 months with empathy and professionalism. Her knowledge is second to none and she kept me in the loop consistently, and laid out future steps and decisions in a manner that made it easy for me to understand. No matter what was received from the opposing solicitor, and the case taking many twists and turns, Dawn took the matter through to a successful conclusion. I cannot thank her enough and highly recommend Dawn and Forbes.

Gill

The team take a calm and measured approach to the matters they deal with which I feel gives the clients the exact type of reassurance and support they require. They are experienced, practical and have a great knowledge of the law.

Legal 500

Losing my Dad was been incredibly difficult and Rebecca's expertise and support was really invaluable and helped me massively. She supported me with her skills and team of colleagues. Nothing was too much and she sought an answer to every issue that arose whilst dealing with my father's estate. Rebecca helped me be able to do right by my Dad's memory. I will be forever grateful and highly recommend her and the Forbes solicitors.

Kelly

Lucy Scurfield - A truly stand-out solicitor. Truly goes the extra mile. Extremely knowledgeable. Fantastic with clients. John Lambe - A fantastic leader. Down-to-earth, offering pragmatic solutions. Dawn Pickering - Has grown to become an extremely talented lawyer.

Legal 500

I was recommended to contact Forbes in regard to a lingering probate issue in the Ribble Valley which had dragged on for a long time. As I am domiciled in Australia there is the tyranny of distance and the awkward time differences. But right from being introduced to the various staff members via phone and emails, they did a superb job. Dawn was professional, empathetic and ploughed on with the task in hand. The matter has been resolved thanks to Dawn. I can only shower praise on Forbes for their efforts. In Forbes we trust.

Dave

Lucy & Nicola were amazing dealing with my probate dispute. Both very professional & supportive in the matter. They Supplied valued advice & support whenever needed. Everything was explained clearly throughout the process & I was updated regularly. It was all finally resolved, of which I am eternally grateful, I cannot recommend or thank them both enough

Anonymous

Nobody expects to be in this very upsetting & stressful position. Lucy & Nicola were fantastic with dealing my probate dispute. Both very professional, supportive & tenacious, offering valued advice & support whenever needed. Everything was explained clearly throughout the process & I was updated regularly. I really can’t recommend or thank them enough.

Anonymous

From the first time I enquired, the Forbes team have been very compassionate and willing. Nicola who then took over the case, was and has been very efficient, professional and above all very understanding of my plight. She also was patient as my comprehension of English was not that brilliant.. but she took time to ensure that I grasped all the relevant details.

Phary

Myself and siblings cannot fault the work that John Lambe and Constance Yates put in for us. They were very thorough and went through all options with us and were very approachable if we had any queries. We would highly recommend John and Constance.

Anonymous

John Lambe was beyond Excellent. I would thoroughly recommend his services. Considering we had a very complexed and emotional situation John was very professional and thoughtful. I Could not recommend highly enough John Lambe , Forbes Solicitors and all involved in the Company.

Anonymous

Due to a difficult matter involving the distribution of an estate by chance we came upon an expert in the field in the form of John Lambe. His clear advice and decisive actions in an assertive 'can do' manner, saved the estate tens of thousands of pounds. Cannot praise the calibre of this lawyer enough. Thank you so much!

Anonymous

John Lambe was working on my property litigation case for just over three years. Mr Lambe was absolutely brilliant, he was extremely knowledgeable and very thorough. Mr Lambe was always patient and constantly reassuring, during those difficult three years. I would highly recommend Mr Lambe, he is an amazing solicitor.

Anonymous

I was looking for a solicitor to contest a will, and I called around 4 different companies initially for advice. When I spoke to John from Forbes I knew straight away that I would be in good hands, he is so knowledgeable and professional. He has been working on my case for a few months now and has kept me updated at every step, I feel very confident we will have the best outcome possible, highly recommend.

Anonymous

We instructed John Lambe on a highly sensitive family probate dispute. From day 1 he was direct, realistic and clear in his advice and we appreciated his candour. He also listened to our concerns and was keen to ensure we received the outcome we desired - which we did. We would highly recommend John and his team.

Anonymous

Forbes have been our legal team for the past 3 years, John, Daniel, Martin, Saul and Tom have been the team dealing with the complexities of this case. The amount of work, dedication, knowledge and advice we received was phenomenal. It was a very difficult and complex case and the input from each department was absolutely outstanding and would definitely use them again and would highly recommend them to anyone. They have given me and my family are lives back and we are eternally grateful and cannot thank them enough

Anonymous

How much does disputing a Will cost?

We understand that you want clear pricing, transparency, and confidence that you're getting value for your money. That's why we offer a range of flexible pricing and payment options, including fixed fees, deferred fees, and no win, no fee arrangements, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs. Throughout your case, we’ll keep you informed and updated on costs, ensuring there are no surprises along the way. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible service while offering the flexibility and certainty you deserve.

Advice Where You Are

With extensive experience representing clients nationwide, Forbes Will dispute solicitors are well-equipped to handle Wills, Trust and Estate disputes across the country. As a local firm with a national reach, we also act for international clients, providing trusted legal advice across borders. We have a proven track record of successfully assisting individuals, no matter their location, with a wide range of legal matters, from contesting a Will to resolving complex trust disputes. Our nationwide expertise ensures that we understand the unique needs of clients from various regions, delivering tailored legal solutions with the highest level of professionalism and care. Wherever you are, our experienced team is ready to guide you through the legal process.

Recognition for our work

Our dedicated Wills, Trusts & Estate Disputes team

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Partner, Wills, Trusts & Estate Disputes

John Lambe

Tom Howcroft.jpg

Partner, Wills, Trusts & Estate Disputes

Tom Howcroft

rebecca-beaumont.jpg

Senior Associate, Wills, Trusts & Estate Disputes

Rebecca Beaumont

nicola-k-smith.jpg

Senior Associate, Wills, Trusts & Estate Disputes

Nicola Kate Smith

View more

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0800 689 3206 - Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

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Contact Us

No obligation, no pressure. We will only use your information to return your call and you won’t receive marketing emails. A member of our team will get back to you shortly.

0800 689 3607 - Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

Request a call back