flag flying above old legal building
Contentious Probate Solicitors

Contentious Probate

If you’re concerned about a dispute over the administration of a deceased loved one’s estate, it’s crucial that you seek professional legal advice.

By reaching out to a specialist wills and probate solicitor like Freeman Jones, you’ll be taking the first steps towards protecting your interests.

ui icon 20-minutes of free legal advice over the phone
ui icon Specialist legal help from our friendly team
ui icon Dedicated lawyers that return your calls
ui icon Fixed fee services with no hidden costs

What is contentious probate?

Contentious probate refers to the legal process of resolving a variety of legal disputes that can arise following an individual’s death.

These tend to revolve around the deceased’s will or the administration and distribution of the deceased’s estate.

Often, a beneficiary or potential beneficiary of the deceased’s will may consider taking legal action in the form of contentious probate if they doubt the validity of the will, the interpretation of its terms, or the actions of the will’s executor or administrator.

How can we help?

In many cases, contentious probate requires legal representation on both sides – regardless of whether you’re making or defending a claim.

With the appropriate legal knowledge and procedural expertise, this process can be made quicker and easier for all parties.

Whether beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate can’t agree on the distribution of their assets or you want to challenge the validity of the will, our expert team can help you to resolve disputes and bring peace back to your family.

At Freeman Jones, our contentious probate solicitors can support you with the resolution of a wide range of disputes, including those relating to:

  • Will validity
  • Asset valuation
  • Will interpretation
  • Poorly managed estate administration
  • Beneficiary disagreements
  • Intestacy (where there’s no will)

Find out more

We have a strong reputation for providing high quality legal advice

What people say

settlement agreement negotiations

Meet our expert contentious probate solicitors

Wondering who will be handling your claim?

Allow us to help you put a face to the name by introducing some of our highly experienced wills and contentious probate solicitors.

colin freeman headshot
Colin Freeman LLB (Hons) MInstLM
Managing Director, Solicitor
paula freeman headshot
Paula Freeman LLB (Hons)
Director, Solicitor
julian palmer headshot
Julian Palmer LLB
Consultant Solicitor
Heather Roberts Consultant Solicitor
Heather Roberts LLB (Hons)
Consultant Solicitor
Suzanne Smith Solicitor
Suzanne Smith LLB (Hons), BA (Hons)
Solicitor
danielle ford headshot
Danielle Ford LLB (Hons) MSC
Solicitor
Photo of Katherine Galvin-Williams
Katherine Galvin-Williams LLB, LLM
Paralegal

Professional contentious probate solicitors in Chester

Is a dispute over a loved one’s estate causing unwanted stress and impacting your family?

With the expert team of specialist contentious probate solicitors at Freeman Jones on your side, you can trust us to protect your interests.

Whether you’re concerned about a will’s validity, need a helping hand making a claim under the Inheritance Act, or are already in the midst of an estate administration dispute, don’t hesitate to speak to our Chester-based wills and probate team today.

To book a free, 20-minute initial consultation with our team, simply give us a call by dialling 01244 506 444 or email your enquiry to info@fjsolicitors.co.uk.

Contentious probate FAQs

  • Contentious probate is a type of legal process that aims to resolve a wide range of disputes following a person’s death.

    From estate administration issues to mismanaged asset distribution and invalid wills, contentious probate proceedings can support individuals that feel they’ve been unfairly excluded or purposely overlooked following the administration of the deceased’s estate.

  • There are many circumstances wherein an individual may want to consider contesting a will. Most commonly, reasons for contesting a will include will invalidity (such as in the case of fraud, undue influence, or lack of capacity) and the lack of reasonable financial provision for a dependent.

  • In the UK, technically anyone can contest a will. However, claims are most often made by those who were expecting to benefit from the deceased’s estate, such as spouses, cohabiting partners, children, and siblings.

  • The exact cost of contentious probate will vary depending on the complexity of the case, the length of the proceedings, and how you’re able to resolve your dispute, among other factors.

    While alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation do come at a cost, ending up in court adds extra solicitor and court fees which can significantly increase your overall legal expenses.

    At Freeman Jones Solicitors, we pride ourselves on our fixed fee services with no hidden charges, so you’ll always know exactly how much our legal services will cost.

  • If you think you have a claim, it’s important to speak to a specialist wills and contentious probate solicitor like Freeman Jones as soon as possible. We offer free, no-obligation initial consultations, allowing our team to provide you with tailored legal advice over the phone.

boardroom view through glasses

Book Your Free, No-Obligation 20-Minute Consultation Today!

"*" indicates required fields

When is the best time to call?*