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Wills, Probate & Estate Solicitors — England & Wales

A will protects the people you leave behind. Probate settles the estate. Estate disputes resolve what the will or the law left unclear.

Whether you are making a will, administering an estate, applying for a Lasting Power of Attorney, or contesting a will you believe is invalid or unfair — a specialist solicitor ensures the legal process is done correctly and your interests are protected throughout. Errors in wills and estate administration can be costly, time-consuming, and irreversible.

Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney Probate & estate administration Contested wills & Inheritance Act claims Executor & trust disputes

Services

Wills, probate and estate matters we advise on.

Estates involve some of the most important decisions — and most significant sums — that families manage. Choose your area below for specific advice.

Making a Will

Legally valid wills tailored to your circumstances — protecting your family, assets and wishes.

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Probate & Estate Administration

Obtaining the grant of probate and administering the estate — assets, debts, tax and distribution.

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Lasting Power of Attorney

Property and financial affairs LPA, health and welfare LPA — registered and ready before you need them.

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Contesting a Will

Lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, and claims that a will is invalid.

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Inheritance Act Claims

Claims for reasonable financial provision where a will or intestacy fails to provide for a dependent.

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Executor Disputes

Removing an executor, compelling an account, and beneficiary disputes over estate administration.

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Trust Disputes

Trustee removal, breach of trust claims, constructive trusts and resulting trust disputes.

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Deputyship Applications

Court of Protection deputyship for property, financial affairs or personal welfare where no LPA exists.

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What You Get

What a specialist solicitor does for you.

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Legally valid documents

A will or LPA that does not comply with the formal requirements of the Wills Act or the Mental Capacity Act is worthless. A solicitor ensures every document is correctly executed and will stand up to challenge.

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Tax planning built in

Inheritance tax, capital gains tax on estate assets, and the interaction with lifetime gifts affect every estate of any size. A solicitor will identify planning opportunities and ensure the estate is administered in the most tax-efficient way.

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Disputed estates handled correctly

Whether you are a beneficiary who has been left out, an executor dealing with objections, or someone challenging a will's validity — a solicitor advises on the strength of the claim and manages the dispute efficiently.

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Executor protection

Executors who make errors in estate administration can be personally liable. A solicitor advises on the correct procedure — from dealing with estate debts to obtaining clearance from HMRC — protecting the executor throughout.

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Protection for vulnerable people

LPAs and deputyship orders protect people who lose capacity from having their affairs mismanaged. A solicitor registers LPAs promptly and manages Court of Protection applications where needed.

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Realistic dispute assessment

Contested wills and Inheritance Act claims involve real costs and risks. A solicitor will give an honest assessment of the strength of the claim and the realistic recovery — before you commit to proceedings.

How It Works

Estate matters are often time-sensitive and emotionally charged. The right advice at the start makes every stage that follows easier.

Whether you are making a will, dealing with probate, or facing a disputed estate — a specialist solicitor will clarify the position and advise on the right step to take next.

Submit Your Request
1

Describe your matter

Tell us whether you are making a will, dealing with probate, challenging an estate, or need an LPA or deputyship.

2

Solicitor advises on your position

A specialist in wills and estates advises on the correct process, the legal issues, and the realistic outcome.

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Free initial consultation

You receive clear, specific advice — at no cost and no obligation to proceed.

Free Initial Consultation

A will made without a solicitor can be challenged. An estate administered without one can incur personal liability.

Get specialist advice on your wills, probate or estate matter — at no cost and with no obligation to proceed.

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Common Questions

Wills, probate & estates — what people ask us.

Do I need a solicitor to make a will?

You are not legally required to use a solicitor — but wills that do not comply with the formal requirements of the Wills Act 1837 (signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who also sign in your presence) are invalid. DIY wills also frequently fail to achieve the testator's intentions — particularly for blended families, business owners, and people with property abroad. A solicitor drafts the will to be valid, unambiguous, and tax-efficient, and keeps a copy on the firm's file.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

Where a person dies intestate (without a valid will), the estate is distributed according to the statutory intestacy rules — which may not reflect what the deceased would have wanted. Unmarried partners receive nothing under intestacy. Stepchildren receive nothing. The rules follow a strict hierarchy. A solicitor will advise on how the intestacy rules apply to the specific estate and whether any claims — such as an Inheritance Act claim — are available to people who have been left out.

How long does probate take?

Straightforward estates with no property, no disputes, and no complex assets can be administered in 3–6 months. Estates with property to sell, HMRC correspondence, and more complex assets typically take 9–12 months. Disputed estates, missing beneficiaries, or estates with overseas assets take longer. The current HMRC and Probate Registry processing times also affect the timeline. A solicitor will set realistic expectations at the outset and keep the administration moving efficiently.

Can I challenge a will I believe is invalid?

Yes — a will can be challenged on the grounds of lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, or failure to comply with the formal execution requirements. The challenge is brought in the Chancery Division of the High Court (or the County Court for smaller estates). The burden of proof and standard of evidence required differs by ground. A solicitor will assess the strength of the challenge — including what evidence exists about the testator's capacity and the circumstances of the will's execution — before advising on whether proceedings are justified.

I was left out of a will. Can I make a claim?

Possibly — under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, certain categories of person can apply to the court for reasonable financial provision from an estate where the will (or intestacy) fails to make adequate provision. Eligible applicants include spouses, former spouses who have not remarried, cohabiting partners, children, and other dependants. The application must be made within 6 months of the grant of probate. A solicitor will assess whether you are an eligible applicant and whether the provision made is genuinely inadequate.

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