Calm, practical advice when emotions are high and the stakes matter.
Disagreements after a death are more common than people expect. They can involve the wording of a will, concerns about fairness, questions over capacity or undue influence, or friction between beneficiaries and executors.
Early legal advice can prevent matters escalating. We can help you understand your options, gather the right information, and take sensible steps to protect your position. Where possible, we focus on resolution through clear communication and negotiation, with a practical view of cost, time, and impact on the family.
We support clients across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, including Cannock, Dudley, Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield.
A clear route forward, whether you are challenging a will or responding to a challenge.
Disputes over the meaning or interpretation of a will
Concerns about mental capacity when a will was made
Allegations of undue influence or pressure
Concerns about fraud or suspicious circumstances
Claims that someone has not been properly provided for
Executor disputes, delays, or concerns about administration
Disagreements between beneficiaries
Requests for information, accounts, and clarity on the estate
Advice on evidence, next steps, and dispute resolution options
When there is a dispute, the early steps matter. Keep communication calm and factual, avoid messages sent in anger, and make sure you keep copies of key documents and correspondence.
If you do not have the will, estate accounts or basic valuation information, request them early. Taking advice sooner can help you understand your position, preserve evidence, and avoid unnecessary cost or escalation.
Do not send heated messages or social posts. Keep communications factual.
Keep copies of emails, letters, and documents.
Ask for key documents if you do not have them (will, estate accounts, valuations).
Get early advice before positions harden.
As soon as you suspect an issue. Timing matters in estate disputes, and early advice can help preserve evidence, prevent misunderstandings, and reduce unnecessary cost. If you are worried about how an executor is handling the estate, or you have concerns about how a will was made, it is better to get clarity early.
Most disputes start with information gathering, reviewing documents, and setting out concerns clearly. Many matters resolve through sensible negotiation or mediation. If a dispute cannot be resolved, we can advise on formal options and what you would need to prove, so you can make an informed decision.
Practical steps, clear communication, and a focus on outcomes.
We explain what you can do, what evidence matters, and what the likely route is.
A realistic view of strengths, risks, costs, and timescales before things escalate.
Guidance on what to request, what to preserve, and what is likely to be relevant.
A calm approach aimed at resolving matters where possible.
Advice whether you are bringing a claim or responding to one.
Clear guidance on formal options and what a court process could involve.
A short conversation can clarify your position and the best next step, before matters escalate.
It is a dispute connected to a will, probate, or the administration of an estate. It can include challenges to the validity of a will, disagreements about interpretation, or disputes about executors and distribution.
It depends on the reason for the challenge. Common grounds include concerns about mental capacity, undue influence, or issues with how the will was signed. We can advise what evidence is needed and what the process usually involves.
Executors have legal duties. If you have concerns about delays, lack of information, or how assets are being handled, we can advise on the right requests to make and the next steps available.
Some claims have strict time limits, and delay can make disputes harder to resolve. If you are concerned, it is best to take advice as early as possible.
No. Many disputes resolve through negotiation or mediation, especially where communication improves and expectations are managed. We will always discuss resolution options early.
If you can, gather the will (or details of it), correspondence from executors, a basic outline of the estate assets, and a short timeline of events. If you do not have these, do not worry. We can guide you.
Our Wills, Trusts & Probate team helps you plan for the future and deal with loss with clarity and care. From writing your Will and setting up trusts to administering estates and arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney, they provide calm, straightforward guidance focused on protecting you, your wishes and the people who matter most.