Contested Probate
Contentious probate is any dispute relating to the administration of a deceased person’s estate.
You may, therefore, require our assistance where there is a dispute over the interpretation or validity of a Will, a value of an asset, or where there has been a breakdown in the relationship between the beneficiaries and / or the executors.
In addition to the above, you may require our assistance if you have been unfairly excluded from the Will of a loved one; we are able to expertly advise you on your rights under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and are able to act on your behalf when bringing a claim.
In the alternative, if you are an executor and /or beneficiary seeking to defend an estate against a claim then we are able to assist you also.
Contentious Court of Protection
If you are served with notice of a Court of Protection application, whether that be for an individual’s Health & Welfare or Property & Financial Affairs, you may be unsure of how to respond.
You may, therefore, wish to obtain expert legal advice in this area so that you may make an informed decision about whether you should consent to the application or whether you should oppose it.
Similarly, if you have made an application to the Court of Protection and the matter is in the process of being litigated, we are able to assist you. We can attend the hearings with you which will be held at a local court and guide you through the court process.
In Property and Financial Affairs applications, the general rule is that the Patient (the individual who is the subject of the application) pays the costs of all of the parties; legal aid is not available in this type of matter.
In Health & Welfare applications, any costs incurred during a contested hearing are usually borne by the parties themselves and not by the Patient.