Concerned about a will, an inheritance or the way an estate is being handled? Discuss the issue with Legacy Wills and Probate, serving clients in Bolton and Horwich.
Tell us what you would like help with. We can discuss your circumstances, the scope of the work and the next step.
Our principal office is in Bolton. Please contact the team to discuss consultation arrangements.
An unexpected will can be upsetting, particularly when it raises questions about a loved one's wishes or leaves someone without the support they expected. An estate dispute may instead concern unanswered questions, delays or an executor's decisions. These situations do not all follow the same legal route.
Legacy Wills and Probate advises on contentious probate and inheritance disputes. For clients in Bolton, including Horwich, the free 30-minute initial consultation is an opportunity to explain the situation and discuss possible next steps. Acceptance of instructions and any funding arrangement depend on an assessment of the individual matter.
Being left out, or receiving less than another beneficiary, does not automatically invalidate a will. A validity challenge needs an appropriate legal basis and evidence. A separate question may arise where an eligible person has not received reasonable financial provision from the estate.
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 provides the framework for that separate type of claim. Eligibility is not a guarantee of an award. Explain your relationship to the deceased, any financial dependence and what is known about the will so the relevant issues can be identified.
Preserve copies of wills, letters, emails and estate information already available to you. Make a factual timeline of the events causing concern, distinguishing what you know directly from what someone else has told you. Note any probate dates or proposed distribution, and identify other people who may hold relevant information.
Different claims have different time limits; there is no safe universal deadline for every inheritance dispute. Seek advice promptly rather than waiting for complete records. Do not assume that entering a caveat is the right response: GOV.UK’s guidance explains its specific role in probate applications and the possibility of legal costs.
A first discussion should clarify what outcome you want, what evidence may be needed and which actions are urgent. Negotiation or mediation may be relevant, while some matters require court proceedings. No particular result or timescale can be promised before the position has been assessed.
Costs and risks need attention from the outset. An estate dispute does not mean that the estate automatically pays everyone’s legal fees. Ask about the proposed scope, funding terms and possible exposure to another party’s costs. Our detailed contentious-probate guide explains the service and its qualifications.
Yes. Explain the current stage of the estate and your concerns promptly. The appropriate options depend on the issue; waiting for a grant is not always sensible.
Keep a record of requests and responses, and explain which information is missing. Disagreement alone does not determine the remedy; advice depends on the duties, evidence and progress of administration.
The initial 30-minute contentious-probate consultation is free. It does not commit the firm to take the case or confirm a funding arrangement. Further work and costs need separate agreement.
Explore wills, probate and estate planning for Bolton clients, or read our main service guidance.
