We specialise in all types of contentious probate and trust issues. When a family disagreement over a will, an estate or a trust arises, we give clear, early advice on where you stand, what your options are and what each route is likely to cost, and we work to resolve matters quickly, discreetly and, wherever possible, without going to trial.
Our contentious probate work is led by Dominic Green, Partner and Head of Contentious Probate and an accredited mediator. We act for beneficiaries, family members, executors, trustees, charities and companies, and we work alongside the firm's Private Wealth & Tax, Real Estate, Family and international teams. Child & Child has been at our clients' side since 1850.
Are you…
Left out of a will, or worried it is wrong?
You may be able to challenge the will or claim reasonable financial provision from the estate.
Contesting a will ›Inheritance Act claims ›
An executor or trustee facing a dispute?
We advise on your duties, defending claims, staying neutral where you should, and protecting yourself on costs.
Executor & trustee disputes ›Concerned about an attorney, deputy or gifts?
Money taken under a power of attorney, or gifts made by someone vulnerable, can often be investigated and recovered.
Attorneys, deputies & gifts ›A solicitor, barrister or adviser?
We work with professional referrers and return non-contentious work to you. [placeholder – policy to confirm]
For professional referrers ›How we can help
Contesting a will
Challenges based on lack of capacity, undue influence, lack of knowledge and approval, forgery, fraud or invalid signing, plus caveats and rectification.
Read moreInheritance Act claims
Claims by spouses, cohabitants, children and dependants who have not been left reasonable financial provision. Strict six-month time limit.
Read moreExecutor & trustee disputes
Delay, failure to account, conflicts of interest, removal of executors and trustees, breach of trust and interpretation of trust documents.
Read moreProprietary estoppel
Broken promises about a home, farm or business that someone relied on to their detriment.
Read moreAttorneys, deputies & lifetime gifts
Misuse of lasting powers of attorney, deputyship concerns, financial abuse and gifts procured by undue influence, including "deathbed gifts".
Read moreInternational estate disputes
Estates with assets or family in more than one country, working with the firm's India, Italy and Middle East desks.
Read moreMediation & ADR
Settlement strategy from day one: mediation, round-table meetings and other ways to resolve a dispute without a trial.
Read moreCosts & funding
How costs work in estate disputes, when they may come from the estate, our Early Case Assessment and funding options.
Read moreWhy Child & Child
Partner-led
Every matter is led by Dominic Green, so you deal with an experienced specialist from the first call.
Early, honest advice
We identify the issues and options at an early stage and are transparent about the merits, the risks and how the outcomes might look for you.
Mediation-minded
As an accredited mediator, Dominic looks for simple and cost-effective solutions and brings parties together where that is in your interest.
Whole-firm support
Disputes often raise tax, property, family or cross-border questions. Our Private Wealth & Tax, Real Estate, Family and international teams are under the same roof.
Our approach
Estate disputes are emotional as well as legal. We combine expert guidance with an understanding of the sensitive nature of these matters. A typical matter starts with an Early Case Assessment [placeholder – scope, timescale and fee to be confirmed by the firm]: we review the documents, explain the legal position in plain English, identify any time limits, and set out the realistic options, likely costs and timetable.
From there we aim to resolve matters by negotiation or mediation where possible, and we are ready to take the case to court where that is what it takes.
Reported cases
Dominic Green's reported cases include Ashton v Brackstone [2020] and Dean v Groves [2025] 3 WLUK 292.
[placeholder – anonymised case studies, to be written by Dominic Green and approved for client confidentiality]
[placeholder – client testimonials, only with written client consent, per SRA rules]
Latest insights
Private Wealth Myth Busters Part 9: "My family will not contest my Will"
In certain circumstances, your final Will and Testamentary Disposition might be challenged.
Read morePrivate Wealth Myth Busters Part 10: Variation of Wills
There may be very good reasons why your family, or wider beneficiaries, may wish to vary their entitlement under your Will.
Read more[placeholder – new contentious probate insight]
Feed to be filtered to the Contentious Probate category once articles are published.
