"Where there's a will, there's a war". So they say. Indeed, new research from Friends Provident suggests that three quarters of British citizens do not have a will, and 24% of people anticipate that their inheritance could cause arguments among relatives.
It is an unfortunate fact that whether or not a Will has been made, the death of a loved one can mean that there's a real possibility of a dispute arising out of it. The increasingly complex ways in which families are structured, with multiple marriages, children from each, blended families and rocketing house prices, can all lead to highly charged family fights after a death.
It may be that a person who hasn't been provided for in a will believes that they should have been, or that they should have received a larger inheritance than they did. It could be that there is a dispute arising from the validity of the will itself, or its interpretation. There can be disagreements to do with the role of executors or the solicitors appointed in the will.
These matters are often referred to under the umbrella term of ‘contentious probate - although disputes can arise at any time including before probate has been granted, while probate is ongoing and even after probate has been completed.
Our specialist Dispute Resolution lawyers in Oxford and Wallingford have a wealth of knowledge and experience in dealing with such disputes and can advise on:
* Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975
* Disputes involving Executors or Trustees
* Disputes arising from Powers of Attorney
* Negligently drafted Wills and professional negligence claims generally
* Cases involving trusts and estoppel claims
If you'd like to discuss a possible claim or dispute, please get in touch with Claire Cox by emailing claire.cox@hedgeslaw.co.uk or calling 01865 521180, or Matthew Cotton by emailing matthew.cotton@hedgeslaw.co.uk or calling 01865 692218