Often individuals want to challenge the validity of a Will because they feel that it is unfair. However, a Will cannot be challenged on the basis of unfairness alone. A legal reason to challenge the validity of a Will is always required.
A Will might be invalid due to one of the following reasons:
A key issue in such cases is whether the Will reflected the true wishes of the Deceased.
We can help advise individuals or charities whether they are acting as executors or beneficiaries to consider allegations that a Will is not valid, or advise on whether there might be valid claim to pursue.
Sometimes claims are made by relatives or dependants of the Deceased because they have not been adequately provided for in circumstances where the Deceased should have provided for them. Such claims are brought under the Inheritance (Family and Dependants) Act 1975. These claims do not seek to challenge the validity of the Will as such, but assert that the Deceased did not make “reasonable financial provision” for the claimant.
Please contact us to discuss whether you might have a case to pursue, or if you are a beneficiary or executor under a Will and someone else has intimated a claim.
Advising in a family dispute relating to the interpretation of a will, claims to occupy agricultural land as tenants and the sale of co-owned land.
Assisting clients with the removal of defamatory material, in particular from websites and social media.
Obtaining an injunction for a private property owner against a neighbour who attempted to use of a right of way across the property to access other property which did not benefit from the right.
Representing a high-net-worth client in a multi-million dollar dispute with a former business partner over a joint venture business.
Advising in relation to an international premarital agreement with extensive business and property assets and inherited wealth across the UK and Ireland.
Advising a client opposing relocation of his child to New Zealand and associated applications for financial provision.
Acting for a Danish wife in respect of her judicial separation and subsequent divorce from her American husband and related financial remedy proceedings, involving substantial assets spanning Switzerland, US, Denmark and the Cayman Islands.
Acting for a UK domiciled client and trust beneficiary, defending a multi-million dollar tracing claim brought by a third party based in Kazakhstan. The case spanned multiple off-shore jurisdictions.
Representing the litigation friend of a minor in a major contentious probate dispute spanning numerous jurisdictions.