Inheritance Disputes
When family structures are complicated, inheritance disputes usually are too.
Specialist advice for families facing contested wills, unfair exclusions and executor disputes in London.
Call 020 7485 8811 today.
“Osbornes has good clients and an extremely capable team of private client litigators. All of the partners are excellent and the trainees are also very helpful.”
“Jan is highly regarded by other private client lawyers: honestly, she’s the lawyer other lawyers would choose to deal with their own affairs. She keenly identifies the issues to focus on and delivers.”
Osbornes Law is a London law firm with decades of experience resolving inheritance disputes for families across London and the UK. Our private client disputes team, recognised in the Legal 500, handles the full range of inheritance conflicts — from contested wills and Inheritance Act claims to executor misconduct and intestacy disputes.
Many of the inheritance disputes we deal with involve blended families: second marriages, step-children, children from previous relationships, and the competing claims that arise when assets accumulated across two family lives are left behind. These disputes are rarely simple. When a parent remarries, the interests of a new spouse and children from a first marriage can pull in opposite directions. When an informal promise about the family home is never documented, conflict can follow. When a will made years ago no longer reflects the family’s reality, someone is almost always left feeling cheated.
Whether your dispute involves a straightforward contested will or a complex web of family relationships, we provide clear, practical advice from the outset — and we work hard to resolve matters without going to court.
Table of Contents
Common inheritance disputes we handle
Challenged wills — especially following a second marriage
Wills made late in life, after a second marriage, or during periods of declining health are among the most commonly contested. New partners can create pressure — conscious or not — on a parent’s estate planning. Step-children and children from a first marriage are often the ones who miss out.
Grounds for challenging a will include lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, improper execution, and lack of knowledge and approval. If you believe a will doesn’t reflect your parent’s true wishes — or that someone else’s influence shaped the outcome — we can assess whether you have grounds to challenge it.
Find out more about contesting a will →
Inheritance Act claims
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 allows certain people to claim reasonable financial provision from an estate even if a valid will leaves them nothing. This route is particularly relevant in blended family situations — where step-children, cohabitants and financially dependent relatives are commonly left out, either by oversight or by design.
Spouses, civil partners, former spouses, children (including adult children), cohabitants of at least two years, and anyone financially dependent on the deceased can all potentially bring a claim. There is a strict six-month time limit from the Grant of Probate, so early advice matters.
Find out more about Inheritance Act claims →
Executor disputes
In blended families, the choice of executor is often the first source of conflict. A surviving second spouse appointed as executor may make decisions that favour their own interests over the children of a first marriage. An adult child appointed executor may resent the surviving spouse’s expectations. Where executor and beneficiary interests collide, disputes about administration, delays and decisions about assets — especially property — quickly follow.
Beneficiaries have legal rights: to information, to accounts, and to challenge decisions made against their interests. In serious cases, executors can be removed and replaced.
Find out more about contentious probate →
Intestacy disputes
When someone dies without a will, the rules of intestacy determine who inherits — and those rules often produce results that feel deeply unfair to blended families. A long-term unmarried partner may receive nothing. Step-children have no automatic right to inherit. A surviving spouse may inherit the entire estate, leaving children from a previous relationship excluded.
Where intestacy produces an unjust outcome, an Inheritance Act claim may be available for those who were financially dependent on the deceased or lived with them for at least two years.
Trust disputes
Life interest trusts are commonly used in blended family estate planning — typically to provide income for a surviving spouse while preserving the capital for children. These arrangements often become contested. Disputes arise over trustee decisions, the scope of the life interest, and whether trust assets are being managed in the interests of all beneficiaries.
Find out more about trust disputes →
Our approach
Most inheritance disputes settle without going to court. We prioritise negotiation and mediation — both are faster, cheaper and confidential. When settlement isn’t possible, we are experienced High Court litigators with a strong track record in the Chancery Division and Family Division.
We also work closely with our family law team when inheritance disputes intersect with divorce proceedings, and with our property litigation team when disputes involve jointly inherited property.
Why Osbornes Law
Our private client disputes team is recognised in the Legal 500. We combine technical expertise with a practical, empathetic approach — understanding that inheritance disputes are rarely just about money.
- Specialist expertise in blended family and second marriage disputes
- Experienced mediators and High Court litigators
- Coordinated advice across private client, family and property teams
- Transparent fees and free initial consultation
Speak to our inheritance disputes team
Call us on 020 7485 8811 or fill in the contact form below to arrange a free initial consultation. We’ll assess your situation, explain your options, and give you a clear view of the way forward.
Speak to us about an Inheritance Dispute
Call us 020 7485 8811
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Inheritance Disputes Accreditations
Katie De Swarte specialises in contentious trust and estate matters, including those with cross-border issues.
Katie builds good relationships with clients, she takes time to understand people to help them achieve their objectives.
Katie de Swarte is an experienced specialist.
Katie de Swarte is a standout member of the team: a very capable lawyer with sound commercial instincts who works tirelessly for her clients.
The responsive team at Osbornes acts for a wide range of wealthy individuals and families on a variety of trusts and estate matters.
The team work efficiently together and exceptionally good at sharing their extensive knowledge and ideas so that their cases can move forward quickly.
They are friendly, responsive and knowledgeable.
When I refer to Osbornes I know that my clients will be well looked after and advised.
Very good at general advice on estate and inheritance tax planning and dealing with IFA's where trusts have funds under investment.
They are on the ball, efficient and not phased by complexity. Sound advice and reliable.
I instruct them in both straightforward and complex cross-border probate applications.
The practice at Osbornes often acts for a wide range of HNW individuals and families on complex estate and trust cases, frequently dealing with cross-border estates.
The Osbornes contentious trusts team is a force to be reckoned with in the London market.
Osbornes is a strong medium-sized firm based in North London but with a regional presence.
Most of the team have a solid grounding in non-contentious work which greatly assists in finding effective compromises to complex disputes.
A team of dedicated specialists led by Jan Atkinson.
An ambitious team with high quality work.
Katie has a good balance of being technically good but also emotionally intelligent. She has a really good understanding of the emotional side of these disputes while being pragmatic.
Katie de Swarte has a real passion for the work she does. She is not afraid to fight her corner and her tenacity means she can pull off miracles.
Katie is very easy to get on with, personable and pragmatic.
Osbornes has a young and dynamic team that is really going places. They have a real passion for private client work with the ability to deliver great results.
They have a personable, sensible but commercial approach.
Osbornes has good clients and an extremely capable team of private client litigators. All of the partners are excellent and the trainees are also very helpful.
We'd like to thank all of you for the excellent work you've done with regards to our case. We're going to suggest Osbornes Law and in particular Jan, Angela and everyone else we worked with to others in similar situations. We express our sincere gratitude to everyone we worked with for their professionalism and great work! We're glad that we had the best law firm and the best team on our side!
We'd like to thank all of you for your professionalism in helping us deal with everything for the past 17 months. Even though our choice of law firm at the beginning was random, we're glad we came to you. We're very grateful that you're on our side and fighting for what's rightfully belongs to us! We couldn't have had a better lawyer representing us and we appreciate you more than you can imagine.
A full service team which punches above its weight, dealing with a range of UK and international clients.
Very high standards of client care, efficient and very good collaboratively when working for clients in common with our firm.
Jenny Walsh is a full member of STEP and a key figure who specialises in non-contentious private client matters, often with a cross-border dimension.
The nimble team at Osbornes acts for trustees, executors, personal representatives, and other high-net-worth individuals.
Katie de Swarte is a first-rate lawyer.
Katie is professional, capable and I know and trust her to look after clients I refer to her.
I would recommend Katie de Swarte, who is easy to deal with and a knowledgeable, formidable opponent.
Excellent team doing high-end work. Would always consider for referral and conflict work.
Katie de Swarte is very good with clients and committed to helping them achieve their objectives.
Katie de Swarte is a hard working and ambitious lawyer.
Jan Atkinson heads up the team and is a respected senior lawyer.
An ambitious team who work hard for their clients.
The calm and experienced Jan Atkinson is at the helm of the team.
Osbornes acts for a wide range of high-net-worth individuals, families, and trust companies in complex estate and trust litigation.
Osbornes has a practice which is big enough to take on substantial cases and small enough to retain a personal touch.
"Katie has a good rapport with clients and genuinely wants to help them. She's extremely committed to helping clients."
"Katie has great knowledge of the law and superb people skills, with a drive to get the best result possible."
With a deep sense of gratitude, I want to thank you all for your diligent and comprehensive contributions and assistance in my legal travails.
I am sure you know how stressful legal proceedings can be for everyday laypersons like myself. Thankfully, you have been a bastion of support and reassurance during these trying months, and I struggle to find the right words to express my sincere gratitude.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
A private client team offering a range of services to assist with private client matters including trust and probate services. A friendly approach with a keen eye for detail.
I have been a client of this firm for a number of years and been impressed by particular individuals, the care and thoughtfulness with which they have worked.
An efficient firm which provides an excellent service at highly competitive charging rates.
The team receives a steady flow of instructions from high-net-worth individuals and families on an array of tax planning, wealth preservation, estate and succession planning issues
I think this firm has excellent strength and depth in this area, for both contentious and non-contentious work, and they can hold their own against any other firm.
I have found them to be incredibly knowledgeable and pragmatic in settling claims for their clients.
The contested estates team is strong with talented young solicitors doing good quality work
The nimble team acts for a broad range of high-net-worth individuals and families on a variety of complex estate and trust litigation.
Osbornes has a ‘strong private client department’ and ‘the firm seems to be going from strength to strength’.
Katie is a very capable solicitor who can be relied on to do a great job in all kinds of disputes in this area.
Katie has a wealth of knowledge of her subject area and brings a robust but pragmatic approach to the resolution of private client disputes.
Thank you for managing my case, following a complete fiasco before I contacted Osbornes Law. I know that the work involved was rather complicated, possibly frustrating and often time consuming. I was impressed with your current knowledge of the case when we had the first meeting at your office. I regard a face-to-face meeting as imperative in developing positive relationships. Members of your team, such as Alex and Ella were impressive too, with their efficient, friendly manner of working.
I am grateful for your patience, advice and excellent support at a difficult time. Hopefully it won't be necessary to contact you again regarding this matter! I will definitely use Osbornes Law in the future."I wish to thank you for your advice, efficiency and professionalism throughout which has been greatly appreciated."
"I am proud to be a private client of Osbornes Solicitors LLP, a client of many years. I appreciate the swift and efficient work of the Private Client Department Team."
"Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady, calming presence, instils confidence in the most highly-strung of us clients. With her masterful knowledge of the law, old and new, and its application, Jan can navigate through the most complex of cases to a successful end."
"I find Osbornes’ client-friendly approach welcoming and refreshing"
"A medium-sized London firm dealing with big litigation and doing it extremely well because of a depth of expertise and experience."
My family had the pleasure of Jan Atkinson working with us on the will and probate issues of [my mother's] estate in Camden and Ireland after she passed on last year. Jan and her assistant(s) offered us a fantastic service at a sad time.
"Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"
The team is very caring, experienced and detailed and was clear about the next steps and offered very helpful advice and suggestions
Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters
A small but formidable team, punching above its weight. Jan Atkinson is a seasoned pro. Approachable but no push-over
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Elspeth Neilson is very reliable and practical."
"The team frequently deals with cross-border estates for high–net-worth individuals."
"The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."
The situation was handled by your extremely competent, efficient hands - I would not hesitate to recommend Osbornes to others.
"Service prompt and effective. I have absolute confidence in Maggie."
I am happy with the service that I got and would recommend you to other potential clients.
I found Osbornes always very helpful and efficient.
We are very pleased with the services of Osbornes. Highly professional and through with close attention to detail.
I would highly recommend Jan Atkinson in any probate matter and Osbornes Solicitors in any other legal matters.
Jan Atkinson is a very proficient lady whom I would highly recommend to anyone involved in probates.
Thanks for all your work and explaining everything so clearly. For any legal matters in the future I would not hesitate in instructing Osbornes.
We have found your service to date as the most informative we have come across.
Osbornes Solicitors always responded promptly to any request for information I had.
“Geoffrey’s affairs were dealt with just the right combination of friendliness and professionalism, which really helped.”
Jan Atkinson is confident with a straightforward approach. Her practice covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, including wealth planning and estate administration.
I would like to thank everyone in my case for the excellent job!
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