Defending a Will

Whether you're set to benefit from an estate, or are the appointed executor of one, we're able to help you with defending a will claim against an estate and protect its value.

If you’re seeking advice in defending a contested will, you may be a beneficiary trying to protect what you believe is rightfully yours or an executor trying to defend the dying wishes of a friend or family member. Whether you’re a beneficiary or executor, defending a will or estate is not only expensive and time-consuming but also upsetting and stressful at an already difficult time. If you’re due to inherit assets as a beneficiary or are trying to protect the testator’s legacy and wishes as an executor, we are here to help you with defending a contested will.

Not only can challenges to a will be upsetting, but they can also delay the process of distributing the inheritance to the beneficiaries and sometimes even reduce what the beneficiary is entitled to due to legal costs. So, whether you need help defending a will against a disgruntled family member or friend of the testator, we can help you protect what was left to you.

When is Defending a Will Necessary?

Some scenarios our experienced team of solicitors can advise in include the following:

• Defending an inheritance act claim – for example, if someone who wasn’t included in the will believes they should have been.
• If someone is trying to contest the validity of the will in question by accusing you or someone else of fraud, forgery, coercion, or claiming the testator was not of sound mind.
• If someone is challenging how the assets were divided in a situation where there was no will.
• If someone is trying to have you removed as the executor of the will.
• If someone was promised part of the estate and didn’t receive it, leading to a serious disadvantage and is making a claim for Proprietary Estoppel.

If you are defending a will, contact us for assistance and guidance to protect your position and keep the process as swift and amicable as possible. With the help of a legal expert, you can find out what your rights are and how to defend the will, protecting your inheritance or that of the beneficiaries.

You may also wish to familiarise yourself with the grounds for contesting a will so you’re aware of what you may be defending a will or yourself against.