Jump to: Disputing Wills and Inheritance Claims
Tollers’ specialist dispute resolution service recognises the increasing litigious nature of claims surrounding wills and trusts brought about by the changing family structure and the increasing size and value of estates.
The head of our dispute resolution team Tom Kings has spent the last ten years specialising in will disputes (challenging/contesting a will) and inheritance claims. Tom is a Member of the Association of Contested Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) a rarity in the region.
If a family member has not made a will, their net assets (known as their estate) are divided in accordance with the intestacy rules. Even if a family member has made a will, it can be contested by those left behind. Seeking early legal advice can be beneficial, both in terms of saving costs and anxiety for those parties involved and helping to ease family tensions and avoid unnecessary arguments.
Court hearings are the final step in any action and are a last resort when contesting a will. Tollers solicitors are experienced in all types of alternative dispute resolution which can be far more cost effective and productive for all parties. Tom Kings is particularly highly experienced in mediation. Click on any of the below links to find out more about the requirements to challenge a will.
Back to top Problems during the administration of the estate
Problems that can occur during the administration of an Estate include:
- Problems over the construction of a will
- Problems with or between personal representatives
- Actions to remove personal representatives
- Defending claims upon the estate
- Requiring personal representatives to account for their actions during the administration of an estate
Back to top Claims regarding the estate - Inheritance Act Claims
If there are claims regarding an Estate we can advise.
Inheritance Act Claims:
- We act on behalf of the beneficiaries defending claims by individuals entitled under the Inheritance Act to pursue actions
- We pursue claims on behalf of spouses, partners, children and dependents who wish to contest a will
Back to top Contesting a Will
Will Disputes are Becoming more Common
We can advise if you are experiencing a dispute over a will. We can:
- Bring or defend claims as to the validity of a will on the grounds of improper execution, mental capacity, want of knowledge and approval, undue influence and fraud
Back to top Other areas Tollers are specialists in
Tollers contentious probate team specialises in associated areas including:
- Actions by and against trustees
- Challenging lifetime gifts by reason of undue influence
- Care home charges by the local authority
- Issues regarding the proper use of Lasting Power of Attorneys, Enduring Power of Attorneys and Deputyships
Back to top Funding options available
Variety of Funding Options Available
Funding can be an issue which deters many people from seeking legal advice. We offer a range of different funding options and for each matter we will consider and discuss the possibility of insurance backed litigation as well as Conditional Fee Agreements such as ‘No Win, No Fee’.
We will give you a realistic estimate of the costs involved in any matter prior to undertaking works.
Contact our contentious probate team on 01604 258558 or email
enquiries@tollers.co.uk.
Meet The Team
Partners
Tom Kings is a partner and head of dispute resolution. Tom qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and has considerable experience in all types of business and private litigation, acting for a number of substantial commercial clients and private clients alike.
Tom is a member of the Northamptonshire Law Society Council and Chairs the Contentious sub-committee. For the past 10 years he has specialised in Trust and Probate claims having completed the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists course (ACTAPS). He has handled a wide variety of challenged estate and inheritance claims. He has also presented at a number of seminars on the subject will challenging/ contesting.
Tom heads a team of seven who are able to offer a full range of experience and expertise, including mediation, when challenging a will
When he's not at work, Tom can be found either ferrying his four daughters around or escaping to the golf course.
Office: Northampton
Testimonials
"Thank you for all your help, we really cannot thank you enough for your professionalism and making a very upsetting and stressful case run so smoothly."
Sam and Ann
"The service we received was timely, efficient and very friendly. The advice we received was also incredibly honest. Tollers are not just a company who have an interest in being paid. Many thanks."
A Jones
"Straight forward, prompt professional advice given with up front costs.
I would have no hesitation in recommending your services."
A. Rowlands
Staff
Tiffany qualified as a solicitor in summer 2010 and now works within the firm's dispute resolution department. Tiffany specialises in contentious probate matters (e.g. the contesting of a will).
Outside of work Tiffany enjoys going to the gym, cinema, playing the piano, reading, and horse riding.
Office: Northampton
Testimonials
"The service and advice I received from your company was second to none. It was clear and supportive, and very helpful. If it had not been for your timely advice, I would not have known how to proceed with the my inheritance dispute."
Susan B of Wakefield
"My business with Tollers was of a very minor nature and yet I found them to very quick and efficient. All of the work was conducted via email and I was always confident that though I lived in Canada, Tollers was working for my best interest in the UK. My particular contact solicitor was Tiffany Wiggett, who was most helpful in gathering the information I required and bundling it into an informative and easy to read letters.Thank You."
Mr. P Brett
"I found the advice I was given was very helpful and precise. The solicitor I spoke to was very friendly and I felt comfortable while listening to the advice I was given. I recommend them highly."
S. Hopkins
"I found Tollers through the internet. The solicitor who assisted me, Tiffany Wiggett, went out of her way to help me, she was very friendly and professional. They were fast and efficient and went the extra mile in trying to help me with my legal matter. I would definetly recommend them and seek their advise again if needed."
Elisha Moore
"I have to say that the speed and the professional advice obtained through Tollers has been held in the highest regard. It was very comforting to be helped by Tiffany Wiggett professionally. Tollers Solicitors have acted so well, I am sure this would be of future interest to new clients requiring a solicitor's immediate help on a matter."
B.A.R Huddersfield in W. Yorkshire
"Tiffany Wiggett, the young lady I spoke to on the phone regarding my Inheritance Act enquiry was very kind and understanding. She made me feel at ease and was very helpful."
Mrs. Jones, North Wales
"I was extremely pleased with the service that was provided to me. The transition from yourdispute.co.uk to Tollers was fantastic and extremely hassle-free. The speed at which this specialist firm worked at was beyond sufficient, and I would recommend them to anyone."
M. Edwards
"Tiffany, thank you so much for all your hard work. Without you and Tom, I would never have sold my father's house."
Client
"After spending some time trying to resolve an issue with a will declared "not valid" I was put through to Tollers via the YourDispute.co.uk service. I was subsequently contact within the the stated timescale and the details of my disput were clearly received. Documents arrived on time and subsequently one letter resolved my dispute. An excellent result professsionally acheived."
Mr Maycock
"The advice I was given was very helpful and put my mind at ease. I would recommend Tollers to family & friends."
J Ross
"A very helpful conversation, which explained all my legal options. This was followed up with a letter detailing the points made and the best course of actions available to me. In conclusion, good advise given promptly and with compassion."
RJ Pooley
"After contacting Tollers, I found the staff polite, pleasant and helpful in their advice and in directing me to the appropriate advisor to resolve my dispute. Thank you for your help."
Client
"When my mother died and I needed advice regarding challenging her Will, I was advised to try Tollers Solicitors. The advice I have received together with the speed with which my emails were answered was absolutely staggering, it was as if they had no other cases to deal with. The result may not have been to my mind, what I wanted to hear, but I would recommend Tollers for any legal problem."
T. Umney
"I was delighted that Tollers offered to take this case, which I had begun to think was a closed door. The service I received was always courteous, prompt and lucid. My decision to settle was ultimately based on time constraints and the very uncertain nature of outcome had I decided to proceed further. I am happy with the manner in which the case was handled and certainly would conclude that raising this dispute was worth the considerable time and trouble it took to assemble all of the necessary testimonials."
Anya Glinski
"
My query was answered patiently and professionally. Tiffany Wiggett, the lady dealing with my enquiry, was not in a position to provide me with all the information on my initial phone call. Tollers took proactive measures and Tiffany emailed the information to me the next day. This was excellent customer service.
"
C Temple
"Miss Wiggett is an extremely able and competent solicitor with an ability to listen to her clients. In short, a nice person as well!"
Client
"From the offset of our claim, we found Tiffany Wiggett of Tollers Solicitors, very professional, efficient & helpful.
At all stages of our claim we were always kept informed of the progress."
Mr Saunders
"Outstanding and very friendly and supportive"
Mr Baldwin
"From the first point of contact to the last, was done with the utmost of care. Tiffany was excellent and I cannot thank her enough. I would recommend Tollers to anyone."
Mrs Fulcher
""Solicitors are people we think we can trust to get it right every time but there are occasions when they get it badly wrong. In my particular case I found it useful to talk about it with another unconnected professional who was able to reassure me that the service I received was not adequate together with advice about the most effective way to carry the case forward. I felt I had a strong case before I sought professional advice but after the call I feel better able to stand my corner and take the case as far as necessary.
Thank you for your help""
Mr Preston
"I did not know what to do about contesting my late step-father's Will, so I contacted Tollers and Tiffany Wiggett returned my request for advice and my mind was put at rest. She explained in English what to do and did it. I would recommend her highly."
Mr. Featherstone
"I was uncertain about the referral as I did not know anything about the legal firm. Very quickly I realised this was a quality referral. Tollers are a firm that can compete with any other and have a wealth of experience dealing with contentious probate. Most impressed by their professional approach and thanks to this I leave this experience with integrity and self respect about my motives. Highly recommend."
Mrs Shaw
"Tollers conducted this probate matter in a thoroughly professional manner and I was kept updated in a very timely manner as the case progressed.
I found both Mr Tom Kings and Miss Tiffany Wiggett who handled the case, to be extremely approachable and nothing was too much trouble. I always felt very comfortable with the advice which Tiffany gave and she inspired confidence every step of the way.
The matter progressed to a mediation hearing and Tiffany obtained a Barrister who worked with Tiffany on the case and a satisfactory result was obtained.
My case was far from straightforward and throughout the advice given was accurate and led to the case being finalised in a shorter period of time than I initially thought.
I would now have no hesitation in recommending Tollers and in particular Tiffany Wiggett to deal with any probate dispute you may have.
Thank you Tiffany it was great knowing you"
B Preston
"I found Tollers to do an outstanding job of my professional negligence claim. They advised me clearly on matters that I did not understand and were very supportive. Thank you to Tiffany Wiggett for all her help and support in this matter"
M. Byfield.
