Contested Wills and Inheritance Disputes in Llandudno & Conwy

What is a contested will or inheritance dispute?

A dispute can arise when someone doubts that a will is valid, believes they should have received more from an estate, or disagrees with how an executor is handling things. These cases are often between relatives at a difficult time, so we aim to resolve them calmly and early where we can, and to be firm where we have to be.

We act for people bringing a claim and for executors and beneficiaries defending one.

Challenging the validity of a will

A will can be challenged on a number of grounds, including:

• Lack of capacity. The person making the will did not understand what they were doing, what they owned, or who might expect to benefit.
• Lack of knowledge and approval. They did not know and approve the contents of the will.
• Undue influence. Someone put pressure on them, so the will does not reflect their own wishes.
• Fraud or forgery. The will, or a signature on it, is not genuine.
• Formalities. The will was not signed and witnessed correctly.

These cases turn on evidence, such as medical records, the solicitor who drafted the will, and witnesses. The earlier you take advice, the easier it is to secure that evidence.

Claims for reasonable financial provision

If you were financially supported by someone who has died, or you are a close relative, a spouse or civil partner, a partner who lived with them, or a child, you may be able to claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 if the will, or the rules of intestacy, did not make reasonable provision for you. What counts as reasonable depends on your relationship and your needs.

There is a strict time limit. A claim should normally be brought within six months of the date of the grant of probate or letters of administration. The court can allow a late claim, but only in limited circumstances, so please do not leave it.

Other estate disputes

• Promises about property or land. Where you relied on an assurance that you would inherit, for example a farm, home or business, and acted on it, you may have a claim in proprietary estoppel.
• Executors and trustees. Concerns about delay, poor administration or conflicts of interest, and where necessary applying to remove or replace an executor.
• Disputes between beneficiaries, including the meaning of a will and how assets are shared.
• Caveats. A caveat is a notice at the probate registry that stops a grant of probate being issued without warning you. It lasts six months and can be renewed. We can enter one, or help if one has been entered against you.

How we approach these cases

1. A first conversation. We listen, ask for the key documents and tell you honestly how strong the case looks.
2. Gathering evidence. We obtain the will file, medical and other records and witness accounts.
3. Trying to settle. Most disputes settle. We will usually try negotiation first, and often mediation, which the court expects the parties to consider.
4. Court, if needed. If it cannot be resolved, we take the case through the court and keep you informed of costs at each stage.

Costs

Contested probate can be expensive, and in court the losing side is often ordered to pay some of the other side's costs. Sometimes costs can be met from the estate, but not always. We will explain the likely costs and risks before you decide how to proceed, and we will tell you if we think a claim is not worth pursuing. See our litigation fees for how we charge.

Why choose Nelson Myatt

Our probate and litigation solicitors work together, so the person advising you on the estate and the person handling the dispute are in the same office. We are based in Llandudno Junction and act for clients across Llandudno, Conwy, Colwyn Bay and North Wales. Read about our wills and probate service or litigation team.

Frequently asked questions

Useful links

• GOV.UK: Wills, probate and inheritance — official guidance
• GOV.UK: Search for a probate record — check whether a grant has been issued
• GOV.UK: Stop a probate application (enter a caveat) — how to challenge an application before a grant is issued

More helpful sites are collected on our useful links page. We are not responsible for the content of other websites. This page gives general information, not legal advice, and is correct as at October 2026.