Contentious Probate Solicitors
Recognised as leaders in our area with top rankings in the legal directories, our team is led by the highly rated Partners, Michelle Rose and Fiona Lawrence.
The team are recognised as contentious probate experts, committed to providing a first class legal service at competitive rates. Every member of the team brings a unique personal strength to our contentious probate offering, whether it’s pragmatism, compassion or tenacity.
Losing someone close to you is hard enough without the added strain of disputes over their estate.
These disagreements, often fuelled by increasing property values or evolving relationships, can be painful and emotionally charged. In these moments, choosing expert solicitors with a blend of legal expertise and understanding can make all the difference.
At VWV, we specialise in contentious probate legal advice, helping clients like you navigate disputes arising from Wills and estates. Our approach is straightforward, jargon-free, and tailored to your unique circumstances. We understand the importance of acting quickly to protect your position, assess the strength of your claim and outline clear steps forward.
Court proceedings are very much a last resort. Our solicitors are committed to achieving the very best possible outcome for you in the most cost effective way, which often results in negotiated out of court settlements.
Whether your situation involves contesting a Will, disputes over executorship, or other estate matters, our goal is to guide you towards the best possible outcome in a supportive, cost-effective way.
Our expertise
At VWV, we are recognised leaders in contentious probate law, with a proven track record of helping clients resolve complex estate disputes.
Our team combines deep legal expertise with practical, empathetic support to guide you through the often difficult process of challenging or defending a Will.
You can rely on us for pragmatic, strategic solutions, ensuring you are supported every step of the way. Our approach is client-focused, ensuring you are never left in the dark and always fully informed about your options and the progress of your case.
We offer expert support if you are considering challenging or defending a Will. Contesting a Will can be done on several grounds, including:
- Lack of mental capacity: If the deceased was not mentally capable of understanding the nature of their Will at the time it was made
- Undue influence: If someone manipulated the deceased into making a Will that disproportionately benefits them
- Lack of due execution: If the Will was not properly signed or witnessed, rendering it legally invalid
- Lack of knowledge and approval: If the deceased did not fully understand or agree to the terms of the Will they signed
- Negligent drafting: If the Will was poorly drafted or contained errors that affect its validity or interpretation.
Our team will guide you through the process with sensitivity and clarity, offering practical advice on how to move forward. We understand how complex and emotional these situations can be, and we are here to ensure that your rights are protected and that any valid claims are pursued in the most effective way possible.
Conflict can arise between executors or administrators and the beneficiaries of the Estate if, for example, the executor/administrator is not properly performing their duties.
We are experienced in bringing and defending applications for the removal of the executors and administrators.
We can also advise where the terms of a Will are unclear and where it is necessary to apply to the Court for directions as to the implementation of the terms of a Will or the construction of clauses of a Will.
If someone you care about is no longer able to manage their affairs, our experienced solicitors provide expert, compassionate guidance. We assist with appointing or replacing Deputies or Attorneys, resolving disputes over Powers of Attorney, and creating statutory Wills. Specialising in contested and sensitive matters, we help navigate family conflicts with care and decisiveness.
When estates become deadlocked, achieving resolution requires impartiality, expertise, and decisive action. Our independent administrators bring a proven track record in untangling complex, high-value, and contentious estates. Focused on the best interests of beneficiaries, they combine neutrality with a proactive approach to move estates forward. Supported by an integrated team of private client specialists, we provide seamless guidance tailored to each situation, ensuring efficient, cost-effective resolutions for even the most challenging disputes.
VWV is a member of the National Association of Independent Administrators ('NAIA').
Do you think you might have a claim to a property or asset which has been left to somebody else in a Will which the deceased promised to you? Or did you put money towards a property or another asset owned by the deceased that has now been left to somebody else?
Commonly in these sorts of claims (what we call Proprietary Estoppel / Constructive Trust Claims) the promise or contribution has not been recorded in writing.
We have many years experience of dealing with these types of highly specialised claims and we can help you bring or defend such a claim when the ownership of property is involved. Our team works closely with clients to assert their rights and ensure that their contributions or expectations are properly acknowledged. With deep expertise, we guide you through these intricate issues, providing clear, actionable advice at every step.
If you have been left out of a Will getting less than you expected or there is no Will at all, an Inheritance Act claim might be the solution. We assist dependants and family members in bringing claims, as well as defending executors and beneficiaries.
With a client-focused approach, we work to resolve matters sensitively and efficiently, helping minimise legal costs while reducing family conflict. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you receive a fair provision, in line with your needs and circumstances.
Trust disputes often arise over issues such as mismanagement, lack of transparency, or conflicts between trustees and beneficiaries. Our team provides expert advice on trust administration, securing trust accounts, and addressing trustee misconduct.
We have significant experience in international cases and work with global experts to provide comprehensive solutions. While we aim for cost-effective, out-of-court resolutions, our skilled litigators are ready to represent you in court when necessary, always working to achieve the best outcome for our clients.
We understand that clients are sometimes unable to find the immediate funds necessary to begin court proceedings. We carefully assess the costs and risks at the outset of any case, and are always happy to discuss appropriate financial solutions.
VWV's contentious probate team provided exceptional representation in our complex estate matter, demonstrating strategic excellence and robust defence that led to the opposition withdrawing their claim entirely. Their proactive approach, combined with tactical expertise in managing disclosure requests and challenging deadlines, resulted in a swift and favourable resolution while protecting our interests throughout.
Our work highlights
We represented three beneficiaries in a dispute over their late mother’s £2 million farmhouse, where another beneficiary claimed it had been promised to him.
With complex partnership and proprietary estoppel issues at play, we successfully resolved all disputes through mediation, avoiding a costly and contentious court battle.
We represented three adult children after their father left his entire estate to his cleaner, disinheriting them.
Challenging the Will on grounds of undue influence, lack of capacity due to dementia, and lack of knowledge, we worked with experts to resolve complex issues, securing a swift settlement and avoiding trial.
In any one year we recover millions of pounds for spouses, cohabitees and adult children who have been inadequately provided for.
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