Beneficiaries
People named in a Will, or who expected to receive under a Will or intestacy, and need clarity about their position.
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Estate Disputes
Disputes can arise about inheritance, the validity of a Will, the conduct of an executor, probate or the administration of an estate. The right next step depends on the documents, the family circumstances, the estate and the nature of the concern.
Start here
Choose the situation that most closely matches your concern. Each pathway leads to general information about that issue type — not a conclusion about your rights.
Who we may advise
Whether we can advise a particular person depends on the type of dispute, the person’s connection to the estate, conflicts, and the circumstances. Entitlement to bring or defend a claim is not assumed from a website description.
People named in a Will, or who expected to receive under a Will or intestacy, and need clarity about their position.
Appointed executors facing claims, beneficiary pressure, administration deadlock or questions about their duties.
People administering an estate without a Will, or under a grant of administration, where disputes have arisen.
Surviving spouses or domestic partners concerned about provision, validity, or how the estate is being handled.
Adult children who may have questions about inheritance, provision, or the administration of a parent’s estate.
Other interested persons in appropriate circumstances — standing and available pathways always depend on the dispute type and facts.
Initial assessment
Before deciding whether to negotiate, lodge a caveat, respond to a claim or commence proceedings, the first task is to understand the position.
A structured first review to clarify the nature of the concern, the documents that matter, and the careful next step — without assuming that court is required.
Describe the concern
Share what has happened, your role, and any urgency you have been told about.
Provide key documents
Make available the Will, grant papers or correspondence you already hold.
Clarify the issue type
We identify whether the concern is provision, validity, probate, executor conduct or administration.
Map the immediate options
We outline careful next steps, including whether further information is required first.
Consider non-court pathways
Where appropriate, we discuss correspondence, negotiation or other resolution options.
Decide the next engagement
You then choose whether to proceed to a fuller advice or representation retainer.
An initial assessment is general and preliminary. It does not create a solicitor-client relationship for ongoing conduct of a dispute, and it is not a substitute for full advice once the facts and documents are properly before us.
Documents
You do not need a complete evidence brief to begin. Having the following available — where they exist — helps an initial assessment stay focused.
Types of dispute
Estate disputes take different forms. The right pathway depends on whether the concern is provision from an estate, the validity of a Will, a caveat affecting a grant, or disagreement during administration. The descriptions below are general only.
Court proceedings are sometimes necessary, but they are not the starting point for every concern. Depending on the circumstances, matters may involve one or more of the following steps.
Estate lifecycle
Before death, the question is how the estate should operate. After death, the question is whether the plan is being administered as intended. If a dispute arises, the question becomes what legal position each person actually has.
Estate disputes can involve procedural steps and statutory time limits. Those limits depend on the type of issue and the circumstances. If timing may matter, it is usually better to seek advice promptly rather than relying on general information alone.
Next step
If questions have arisen about a Will, an executor, a claim against an estate or the administration of an estate, request an initial assessment or discuss your situation. Submitting an enquiry does not create a solicitor-client relationship.