Disputed Wills & Estates

"This is a very good firm which comes up to the quality of London firms in terms of its contentious trusts and probate work."

Legal 500 2025

"Michelmores offers the complete package, with a strong London and regional presence and with all the other resources in terms of expertise and experience which you could want. They frequently work for large charities as well as private individuals, giving them great insight into the full range of issues and concerns which a dispute of this nature can throw up."

Legal 500 2025

"The Michelmores lawyers not only grasped a thorough understanding of my dispute but they empathised with how I felt and spoke in a language that I found comforting and professional."

Chambers High Net Worth 2024

"The team at Michelmores has worked on a complex trust, clearly setting out the implications of taking a course of action. I have been very impressed by the knowledge within the team."

Chambers High Net Worth 2024

"Every member of their team is happy to take time to explain any complexities of a case and to assist with all matters, large or small."

Legal 500 2024

"Michelmores is a really strong presence in this area. Tony Cockayne is an excellent team leader; he is unflappable, full of energy and has a real sense of when a point is worth pushing and when to pull back."

Legal 500 2024

"Michelmores has a really strong presence in this area. Tony Cockayne is an excellent team leader; he is unflappable, full of energy and has a real sense of when a point is worth pushing and when to pull back."

Legal 500 2023

"The team is very knowledgeable of the charity sector and fully aware of its needs and challenges. Their advice always takes these into consideration, and especially addresses the reputational issues which the charity may face in contentious matters"

Legal 500 2023

We are a nationally recognised team advising in the area of disputed wills, trusts and legacies.

Our experienced team has an excellent reputation for advising on complex issues connected with Wills, trusts and estates for both charities and individuals.

How can we help?

Our specialist team of Disputed Wills, Estates & Trusts Solicitors provide expert and understanding advice on a range of disputes.

If you have any concerns about the terms of a will or the provisions of an estate − for example, if you believe you have been unfairly excluded from a will or left without financial provision, there are steps that you can take.

We look to resolve problems as quickly as possible.  In particular, we aim to tackle issues via Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation, wherever appropriate.

Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team to find out more.

FAQs about contesting a will

Recent experience

Acting for the spouse of a famous artist in relation to the provisions of his Will.

Securing a settlement in a case involving a complex Estate with aspects relating to Texan law.

Bringing proceedings on behalf of defendants in a High Court trial regarding testamentary capacity.

Acting for the ultimate beneficiaries of a trust who were concerned that the trustees were depleting the trust assets and favouring another beneficiary.

Reaching settlement for a charity client at a mediation in a claim concerning the testamentary capacity of the Deceased (a famous ballerina).

Acting for the claimant wife of a wealthy property developer, who lost capacity following a stroke, in a dispute with our client’s step-children over the management of his business.

KEY CONTACTS
Tony Cockayne
Tony Cockayne
Partner
TEAM
Alexa Payet
Alexa Payet
Partner
Jasmine Ivory
Jasmine Ivory
Senior Associate
Lisa Benham
Lisa Benham
Senior Associate
William Coon
William Coon
Associate
Emma Bryson
Emma Bryson
Associate
Georgia Wookey
Georgia Wookey
Associate
Hannah McElroy
Hannah McElroy
Solicitor
Emily Peacock
Emily Peacock
Solicitor