OLS Solicitors Blog

Contentious Probate: How to Challenge a Will or Inheritance Dispute in the UK

By Lucy Batstone on July 22, 2025

Advice On How to Challenge a Will or Inheritance in the UK

If you’ve lost a loved one and believe their will is invalid or you’ve been unfairly left out of their estate, you may be able to make a contentious probate claim.

At OLS Solicitors, we help people resolve inheritance disputes quickly, sensitively, and with clear legal advice.

What Is Contentious Probate?

Contentious probate refers to legal disputes about how a deceased person’s estate is administered. This can happen when:

The will is believed to be invalid
You haven’t been reasonably provided for under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
There’s suspicion of undue influence, fraud or lack of mental capacity
There are delays or concerns about executor misconduct
The deceased died without a will (intestate) and you want to make a claim

Common Types of Inheritance Disputes

These are the most common reasons for challenging a will or inheritance:

1. Challenging the Validity of a Will

You may be able to contest a will if:

It wasn’t properly signed or witnessed
The person lacked mental capacity
They were under undue influence
There’s evidence of fraud or forgery

2. Inheritance Act Claims

If you were financially dependent on the deceased and weren’t reasonably provided for, you may have a claim. This applies to:

Spouses and civil partners
Former spouses who haven’t remarried
Children and stepchildren
Cohabiting partners (2+ years)
Anyone financially supported by the deceased

3. Executor Disputes

Delays in distributing the estate
Lack of transparency or communication
Executors not acting in the estate’s best interest

4. Beneficiary Disputes

Arguments over asset valuations
Disputes about how property or money is divided
Different interpretations of the will

The Process for Making a Claim

Here’s how contentious probate claims typically work:

Get legal advice – Act fast. You usually have 6 months from the grant of probate to claim under the Inheritance Act.
Case assessment – We review the will, your relationship to the deceased, and supporting evidence.
Letter of claim – We set out your position in writing to executors or other parties.
Mediation or negotiation – Many cases settle out of court.
Court proceedings – If needed, we’ll guide and represent you throughout the litigation process.

Our aim is always to resolve disputes with minimum stress and preserve family relationships where possible.

Who Can Contest a Will?

You may have legal standing to bring a claim if you are:

A spouse or civil partner
A former spouse who hasn’t remarried
A child or stepchild
A cohabiting partner (2 years or more)
Anyone who was financially dependent on the deceased
Someone who was excluded from the will or expected to inherit more

Get Expert Advice from OLS Solicitors

If you believe a will is unfair or invalid, or you’re involved in an estate dispute, our contentious probate team is here to help.

We provide clear legal advice, practical solutions, and work towards fair outcomes.

📞 Call us: 01554 756952
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.ols-solicitors.co.uk
📍 Offices in: Llanelli & Swindon

👉 Contact us today to speak with a specialist contentious probate solicitor.

Request A Free Callback

OLS Solicitors Blog

OLS Solicitors Raise £10,390 for Will Aid 2024 – Highest Donating Firm in Wales!

By Lara Davies on March 21, 2025

OLS Solicitors is proud to announce an outstanding achievement in Will Aid 2024, raising an impressive £10,390 to support life-changing charities. This incredible total makes OLS Solicitors the highest donating firm in Wales—for the second year running—and ranks us 11th across the whole of the UK!

Throughout November, our dedicated team volunteered their time and expertise to write wills under the Will Aid scheme. Instead of charging our usual fees, we invited clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid, benefiting nine leading charities including Age UK, Save the Children, and the British Red Cross.

Thanks to the generosity of our clients and the hard work of our team, we exceeded expectations and made a real difference to people’s lives—both here in Wales and across the world.

Leading the Way in Wales (Again!)

We’re incredibly proud that OLS Solicitors has once again been recognised as the highest donating firm in Wales. Our team’s commitment, coupled with the kindness of our clients, has helped us raise £10,390—an achievement that puts us in the top 11 fundraising firms in the UK for Will Aid 2024.

“It’s a real honour to lead the way in Wales for such an important cause,” said Lara Davies, Director at OLS Solicitors. “Every donation will go towards helping these amazing charities continue their vital work. We’re so grateful to our clients for their generosity and proud of our team for their dedication.”

Why Will Aid Matters to Us

At OLS Solicitors, we’re passionate about making professional will writing accessible to everyone. Will Aid gives people the opportunity to protect their loved ones while supporting charities that provide food, shelter, medical care, and emergency aid to those who need it most.

Participating in Will Aid is a natural extension of our values as a firm—putting people first and giving back to the community we serve.

Will Aid 2024 has been our most successful year yet. Our team went above and beyond to meet demand, often working outside of regular hours to ensure every client had their will drafted promptly and professionally.

About Will Aid

Will Aid is an annual fundraising campaign that takes place every November. Solicitors across the UK volunteer their time to write basic wills in exchange for a suggested donation to Will Aid—£100 for a single will and £180 for mirror wills.

The money raised supports nine partner charities, including NSPCC, Christian Aid, and ActionAid. Since its launch in 1988, Will Aid has raised over £24 million, making a huge difference to countless lives.

Looking Ahead

After the success of Will Aid 2024, we’re already looking forward to taking part again next year. But you don’t need to wait until November to sort your will.

Our expert team at OLS Solicitors offers fixed-fee will writing services all year round, giving you peace of mind that your wishes will be respected and your loved ones protected.

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It…

Here’s what one of our recent clients said about our will writing service on ReviewSolicitors:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“An excellent service from start to finish. I was nervous about getting my will sorted, but OLS made the process so simple and stress-free. Everything was explained clearly, and they were very professional and approachable throughout. Highly recommend!”

If you’ve been thinking about getting your will in place, there’s no better time to act.

📞 Get in touch today to arrange your will:
➡️ Call 01554 756952 or leave a callback request