The homemade Will was found to be valid, resulting in a charity inheriting £180,000 in place of the testator’s family members.
Read moreContentious 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.
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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 the UK by Best Companies.
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.
“The specialist contentious trusts and probate team at Brabners advises domestic and international clients on a broad range of matters relating to the resolution of disputes and the administration of estates, including challenges to the validity of Wills, Court of Protection proceedings and Charity Act matters involving trustees. The ‘engaging and solution-focused' practice head Nicola Turner is a contentious trusts and probate expert with strong commercial capabilities. Beth Middleton, who is also a contentious trusts and probate specialist, is another key practitioner.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Nicola Turner took instructions and immediately formulated a strategy to deal with what became a lengthy and difficult case. At each stage, she had a clear vision of what the next stage looked like and was able to drive the other parties’ responses with great skill — allowing her to carry out in-depth comparisons of the responses and evidence provided by the other party. She advised and managed my expectations, so any decisions made were fact-based and provided a pathway to the eventual result. I have no hesitation in recommending Nicola.”
Will validity challenge defendant
“I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for agreeing to take on our situation, the support and guidance you have given to us and for your professionalism at all times. It has been a very difficult time for us, reading your emails and following your suggested route to proceed to the next steps has kept us strong and more determined, which we sincerely thank you for. We cannot express in words to you how much we appreciate everything you have done.”
Anonymous wills and probate client
“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. So grateful to you.”
Client feedback
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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.
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