At DMH Stallard we act for people in Hassocks and the surrounding areas who are dissatisfied with the way an estate is being handled. This could be because they have been left out of a will or because they believe the will is invalid. If there’s no will, they might feel unfairly treated by the operation of the intestacy rules (the rules that dictate how an estate is divided in the absence of a valid will).
It’s important to get legal advice as soon as you think you may have to take action in relation to an inheritance. If you don’t act on time you may be prevented from proceeding – even if your case is strong. At DMH Stallard our team of legal specialists is ready to act for you if there’s an inheritance dispute. We have the backup and expertise you’d expect from a nationally recognised law. But our strategically located offices across the South East mean we are able to offer people in areas like Hassocks the local, personalised service needed to deal with the sensitive matters associated with wills disputes.
Contact our contentious probate team
online or by phone on +44 (0)1273 843405.
What is contentious probate?
When we talk about contentious probate we mean disputes that arise over the meaning of a will or that occur during the process of administering a deceased’s estate.
Wills and inheritance disputes are on the rise in Hassocks and across the country for a number of reasons. These include more complex family units and the fact that when we die our estates are worth more because of rising house prices and other factors. Because there are valuable, tangible assets to target, disgruntled family members and individuals who were dependent on the deceased for financial support understandably feel justified in going down the route of legal proceedings. They’re more prepared to take the risk of falling out with family members and the prospect of shouldering significant legal costs.
What can our wills disputes lawyers do for people in Hassocks?
Our wills and inheritance dispute lawyers deal with the full range of contentious probate matters, including:
- Disputes about the precise terms of a will
- Disagreements over the circumstances in which a will has been made. For example, was the deceased pressurised or unduly influenced into making the will in a way that benefitted a particular individual?
- Claims that the value of an inheritance under a will or intestacy (that is, where there is no will) is inadequate
- So-called ‘proprietary estoppel’ claims where a promise made by the deceased is not reflected in the will
- Disputes based on allegations of negligence on the part of the solicitor who drafted the will.
- Claims based on the behaviour of trustees and executors, including applications to remove offending individuals
Trusts disputes lawyers for Hassocks
Trusts can be set up under a will (‘will trusts’) or during your lifetime ('lifetime trusts’). Essentially trusts are legal mechanisms that enable a trustee to look after and manage assets on behalf of the beneficiaries of a trust.
Our private client solicitors offer advice to individuals in Hassocks and the surrounding areas on all aspects of trusts. This means that in addition to disputes over wills and inheritance we also assist individuals engaged in disputes about trusts. These may involve allegations that the trustees are not acting within the terms of the trust deed, disputes over the valuation of trust property and legal issues over the correct interpretation of the trust documents.
Why choose our contentious probate solicitors?
"DMH Stallard lawyers are straightforward and speak to us in a language we understand"
Chambers & Partners, 2021
More than some of the other areas of law we work in, contentious probate cases always have the potential to exacerbate already strained family relationships. If not handled realistically costs can spiral out of control, depleting the value of the estate and in some cases vastly reducing the assets available to the beneficiaries.
Families and individuals in Hassocks get several real benefits when they instruct the contentious probate solicitors at DMH Stallard:
- You’ll receive advice from experienced practitioners, often from specialist partners
- We offer sensible and transparent pricing
- Our service is designed to fit your needs. No two clients are the same so it’s difficult to defend a one-size fits all approach when it comes to contentious probate advice
- We’re easy to work with, focusing on flexibility and clarity. We’ll appoint the team members who are the best fit for your needs to handle your case
- You can rely in our external reviews in legal directories like Chambers and the Legal 500
At the end of the day we know this is a sensitive area for most of our clients, many of whom will have recently lost a loved one. We’ll always handle your case appropriately – with integrity and respect.
Contact us
You can contact our contentious probate team who cover the Hassocks area, either
online or by phone on +44 (0)1273 843405. We usually arrange virtual meeting for clients but are always happy to see people in person if that’s the preference. We have offices across the South East, including in Crawley, Guildford and Brighton.