Can a Will be challenged due to dementia or Alzheimer’s? Understanding the legal position
A guide to testamentary capacity, common grounds for challenge and the factors that can influence the validity of a Will.
Contentious probate solicitors in Leeds
Based at 1 City Square, our nationally-recognised contentious probate team serves the city of Leeds, the surrounding towns and villages and the wider Yorkshire region.
Contact our experts today
Contentious probate legal services we offer in Leeds
Contentious probate is a unique area of law. Our Leeds-based solicitors work solely in this field, enabling us to offer the very highest standard of practical advice. We bring decades of experience in resolving all types of inheritance disputes involving Wills, estates and trusts.
- Challenging a Will — we're experienced in all matters relating to the investigation, interpretation and contesting of Wills. We can also support those facing a challenge to a Will.
- Executor and trustee misconduct — we frequently act for beneficiaries who are concerned about the behaviour of executors, trustees or personal representatives when administering an estate. We also provide advice to executors who are unsure about what may be required of them.
- Financial or economic abuse — we routinely advise in circumstances where suspicions have been aroused about exploitation involving lifetime gifts and transactions, either during the lifetime of the alleged victim or after they’ve passed away.
- Inheritance Act claims — if someone doesn’t receive reasonable financial provision under a Will, they have the ability to bring an Inheritance Act claim to ask the Court to vary the provisions.
While contentious probate issues can be challenging and emotionally fraught, your life will be made easier by having the right legal expertise on your side. We’ll work closely with you to develop a bespoke strategy for resolving your inheritance dispute quickly, efficiently and sensitively.
We have particular expertise in handling complex cases on behalf of high-net-worth individuals, including those involving large estates.
“Brabners is an outstanding firm. The way in which you manage our family’s affairs gives us genuine confidence and peace of mind — we quite literally sleep easier at night knowing that matters are in your hands.”
Brabners Personal client
“My sincere thanks to Brabners who came to my rescue with really sound and grounded guidance… I can now at last sleep well and now have the opportunity to embark on a new chapter in my life.”
Client feedback
“Thank you so much, Nicola [Turner]. Please know that you have made a huge difference to my son’s life and my own — and we are hugely grateful for all that you have done. This is truly the first time in over four years where I don’t feel like I am carrying a ton of lead weight with me everywhere. We can finally begin to live again.”
Will & inheritance disputes client
“Danielle Pawson is a thoughtful and capable practitioner, known for her attention to detail and empathetic approach in managing complex and sensitive matters. Clients immediately warm to her affable nature.”
Client feedback, Legal 500, 2027
“Nicola Turner's focus is always on achieving the best results for her clients… She is adept at combining empathy with professionalism. She gets the balance right, offering a service which combines the personal touch with the pragmatism required to get her client to where he or she needs to be. If I was ever to find myself embroiled in probate litigation, Nicola would be one of the people to whom I would turn.”
Mediator
“Where Nicola Turner scores particularly strongly is that her assessment of the merits and weaknesses of her cases is highly accurate. This allows her to deal with her cases in a very focused and efficient way which leads to good outcomes and a high degree of satisfaction from clients. Her direct and proactive manner leaves opponents in no doubt that she knows what she's doing, which is crucial in these types of disputes.”
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Serving Leeds with warmth, talent and experience
Having the best legal expertise in your corner can be invaluable peace of mind — especially in matters relating to contentious probate, which can be incredibly difficult to navigate.
We're one of the largest law firms in the North, with over 500 experts ready to serve you. As well as contentious probate, we offer the full range of legal services for individuals and businesses.
Backed by over 200 years of experience, we’ve been acknowledged in The Legal 500’s 2025 Top Tier and Hall of Fame, commended by peers in The Times Best Law Firms and recognised as the Best Law Firm to Work For in Yorkshire and the Humber by Best Companies. Our team was proud to win Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards 2026.
While we’re based in Leeds, our team covers the entire Yorkshire region — including Bradford, Sheffield, York, Huddersfield and Hull — and beyond. You can visit us at our welcoming offices at City Square or we can arrange a virtual meeting.
Meet our inheritance disputes team
Contact our team
Our contentious probate team can be reached by phoning 0113 518 5100 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. Alternatively, you can email inheritance@brabners.com or use the button below and fill in our contact form.
We're the leading independent law firm, proudly anchored in the North.
Through The Brabners Foundation, we aim to make a real difference for our people and our communities across Leeds, Yorkshire and the North of England.
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside of London) to become B Corp certified, a marker of our social and environmental commitment.
Our independence allows us to be objective, principled and serve our communities with heart and personality.
Insights about inheritance disputes
Can I make a digital Will? Proposed Will reforms explained
We explain the current proposals around digital Wills and highlight other Will reforms that could be on the horizon.
Understanding Letters of Claim in contentious probate — what they are & how to respond
We explore the role of a Letter of Claim during Will and inheritance disputes and outline what it means for those involved.
4 key drivers making contentious probate expertise essential in 2026
We take a closer look at the social, demographic and economic trends that are making contentious probate expertise essential in 2026.
A guide to trusts in divorce — 5 practical tips to protect your wealth
We explore how the courts approach trusts on divorce and outline the key considerations for dealing with them after separation.
Wills — what are ‘no contest’ or ‘forfeiture’ clauses and are they legally enforceable?
Such clauses state that if a beneficiary contests the Will and doesn’t succeed, they’ll forfeit their inheritance.
Statutory Wills — what are they, when do you need one and the application process explained
Here, Sarah Murphy — a Partner in our estate planning team — explains more about the purpose of a Statutory Will and the application process.
Homemade Will written on cardboard boxes found to be valid by High Court
The homemade Will was found to be valid, resulting in a charity inheriting £180,000 in place of the testator’s family members.
Brabners Personal — full-service legal support for individuals and families
From building a family to creating Wills and trusts, buying or selling property, land or a business, planning for your succession or dealing with a crisis, it helps to have ready access to a multidisciplinary legal team that can support you with whatever life throws your way.
When does a ‘mirror Will’ become a ‘mutual Will’?
When it comes to estate planning, ‘mirror Wills’ are fairly common between spouses. But, what is the difference between mirror Wills and mutual Wills?
Adjournments on medical grounds — the importance of detailed evidence
Our Will and inheritance dispute team explore a recent case where they served with (and defended) a short notice application by a claimant to adjourn an upcoming three-day trial on medical grounds.
Ambiguous Wills and personal liability — Dryden v Young & Others
What can executors do if a Will involves complex and ambiguous gifts? Beth Middleton explores the case of Dryden v Young & Others.
Inheritance tax explained — the basics, suggested reforms and how to plan ahead
Here, Abbie Johnys explores the suggested reforms to inheritance tax and how you can plan ahead.
Will & Inheritance Dispute FAQs
Find answers to our most frequently asked questions about will and inheritance disputes from our expert private client solicitors.
Determining undue influence in Rea v Rea in the Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision made in August 2023 in the case of Rea v Rea.
When should I review my will?
Here, we outline five key life events after which you should consider reviewing your will.
Brabners appoints new partner as head of contentious trusts and probate team
We've appointed an experienced new partner to lead our growing contentious trusts and probate team.
Presumption of death — new Court guidance for will executors and ‘sufficient interest’
We examine the case of Kerry Tolley v No Defendant (Re Caroline Fisher) and its impact on the administration of estates.
Executor misconduct: When estate administration goes wrong
Penalties for executors who do not carry out their duties effectively can be significant and serious.
Summonsing witnesses of wills to give evidence
In the event of a dispute, witnesses can be called on to give evidence on the circumstances of the will being executed.
Inheritance on divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership
How can individuals protect inherited assets in the event of a relationship breakdown?
Contact our Leeds-based contentious probate experts
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