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Our Resolve. Your Resolution.
If you are considering contesting a will, or defending an estate against a claim, this is the right place to start. Contentious probate is the legal term for these disputes.
We act in inheritance disputes involving substantial estates, typically where property, land, business assets or significant investments are at stake. Many of our clients are in North and East Yorkshire, and we can meet you in person at our York and Yorkshire offices.
Our team of contentious probate solicitors is led by Simon Black, a registered member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). Clients and peers have praised his work:
“Simon Black… thoroughly on top of his file and prepared to go the extra mile for his clients. A hugely persuasive force at mediation and precisely the kind of lawyer you would want in your corner.” The Legal 500, 2025 Edition
“Responsive, efficient, no-nonsense approach. Works incredibly hard, thinks outside the box, and delivers.” The Legal 500, 2023 Edition
This depth of knowledge and practical, determined approach runs throughout our team, which includes experienced litigation partners Richard Hugill and Paul Burkinshaw, enabling us to protect our clients’ interests in even the most complex cases.
Our contentious probate solicitors advise on all aspects of probate disputes, including:
If you are weighing up whether to challenge a will, defend an estate, or raise concerns about how an executor is acting, an early conversation is usually the quickest way to understand where you stand. We act for clients nationally and can meet you in person at any of our Yorkshire offices. Call your nearest office or make an enquiry online, and we will arrange a time to talk.
Our contentious probate solicitors provide dedicated pages exploring some of the most common and complex situations our clients face:
Can a step-child contest a will? – Understanding the legal grounds, family dynamics, and strategic considerations in step-family inheritance disputes.
Business probate disputes – Protecting value and resolving conflicts when company shares, commercial property, or partnership interests are part of an estate.
Farm probate disputes – Navigating disputes over agricultural land, farm businesses, and generational inheritance expectations.
Proprietary estoppel claims – Pursuing or defending claims where promises of inheritance of property, land, or businesses were relied on but not honoured.
Challenging an executor – Advising beneficiaries and executors alike where questions arise over estate administration, executor duties, or potential removal.
These pages provide further detail on the unique challenges of each type of dispute and how we can help.
A will can be contested if it fails to meet strict legal requirements. Common grounds include:
If you were financially dependent on the deceased and the will (or intestacy rules) does not make reasonable provision for you, you may have a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Our probate dispute solicitors regularly bring and defend such claims, often involving substantial property and investment portfolios.
Where promises about future inheritance are made and relied upon, for example, contributing to the upkeep or improvement of a property or business, we can pursue or defend claims based on proprietary estoppel, promissory estoppel, or constructive trust principles.
For more detail, see our dedicated page on Proprietary Estoppel Claims.
Executors and trustees must act in the best interests of the estate or trust and its beneficiaries. Disputes can arise over:
Where necessary, we can seek removal or replacement of executors or trustees or defend against such applications.
For further guidance, see our page on Challenging an Executor.
Where no will exists, the intestacy rules determine who inherits. This can lead to disputes, especially where there is uncertainty over who should act as administrator or how assets, particularly high-value or illiquid ones, should be divided.
We offer various funding options to assist you obtain the justice you seek. In addition to the traditional 'pay as you go' hourly rates, we consider:
All cases are assessed individually and funding options discussed with you to determine which would be most suitable.
Although many disputes do still proceed to court or arbitration, we recognise that clients' interests are often served in seeking to resolve disputes in other ways outside the court process. This can resolve disputes much more quickly and at significantly reduced cost. Mediation is a recognised alternative to litigation. To find out more about the various options available, go to Courts & Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Our probate dispute solicitors can arrange meetings at any of our local offices in York and across Yorkshire, so simply contact your nearest Harrowells office in York, St Saviourgate, Clifton Moor, Easingwold, Haxby, Pocklington, Malton, and Thirsk.
Contentious probate is the legal term for any dispute arising in relation to a deceased person’s will or the administration and distribution of their estate. It includes claims challenging the validity of a will, disputes with executors, trust disputes and disappointed beneficiary claims (including broken promises claims and claims seeking increased inheritance).
Yes, in many cases a will can still be contested after probate has been granted, although acting quickly is important. The time limits and legal options available will depend on the grounds for the challenge, such as lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud or an inheritance claim.
If a will is declared invalid, the court may reinstate an earlier valid will or, if none exists, the estate will be distributed under the rules of intestacy. This can significantly change who inherits and how the estate is administered.
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