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Our Resolve. Your Resolution.
Modern families are often complex, with second marriages, blended households, and long-term partnerships without marriage. In these situations, disputes over inheritance can arise more easily, particularly where high-value estates are involved.
We regularly act for step-children who believe they have been unfairly excluded from a will, and for step-parents or other beneficiaries seeking to defend a will from challenge. Our work often involves estates with assets such as residential property, agricultural land, business interests, and substantial investment portfolios.
Step-children may fear that a will or other estate planning has been influenced to their detriment, and that assets which were intended to pass to them will instead go to their step-parent’s children or relatives.
Concerns can include:
These concerns are heightened where the estate is complex, includes assets in multiple jurisdictions, or contains illiquid holdings such as farmland or commercial property that are difficult to divide.
From the perspective of a step-parent, an inheritance claim may seem deeply unfair — particularly if the will reflects discussions and agreements made with the deceased during their lifetime.
Common worries include:
Under the inheritance laws of England and Wales, step-children may contest a will or make an inheritance claim on grounds including:
Undue influence – The will was made under pressure from another person
Lack of testamentary capacity – The person making the will did not have the mental capacity to understand its effect
Failure to comply with formalities – The will was not signed or witnessed correctly
Forgery or fraud – The will is not genuine
Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 – Seeking reasonable financial provision from the estate even if excluded from the will
Not all concerns justify a legal claim, and the strength of any case will depend on the available evidence.
Whether you are bringing or defending a claim, a realistic early assessment is essential. Emotional perceptions can differ from the legal and evidential reality.
Our team will:
We have extensive experience of probate disputes involving:
Accurate valuation is critical. We work with trusted experts, including chartered surveyors and forensic accountants, to establish the estate’s true worth.
Step-child disputes often overlap with other contentious probate issues. You can read more in our related pages:
Will, trust & inheritance disputes – our main page covering the full range of services.
Business probate disputes – for cases involving company shares, partnerships, or commercial property.
Farm probate disputes – for disputes over agricultural land or farm businesses.
Proprietary estoppel claims – Pursuing or defending claims where promises of inheritance concerning land or property 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.
We combine technical expertise with sensitivity to family dynamics. Many disputes can be resolved without court proceedings, but we will litigate decisively when required to protect your position.
As outlined on our main page, we offer a range of funding arrangements and are experienced in alternative dispute resolution where it serves our clients’ best interests.
If you are involved in a dispute as a step-child, step-parent, executor, or beneficiary, our contentious probate team can guide you through the process. We act for clients on a nationwide basis, with many choosing us for our strong local presence in York and rural North and East Yorkshire.
Contact us today to arrange a confidential discussion at one of our offices in York, St Saviourgate, Clifton Moor, Easingwold, Haxby, Pocklington, Malton, and Thirsk.
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