What you need to know when probate is contested

Stephanie Kerr

Navigating a loved one’s loss is always difficult, but additional obstacles arise when there is an estate dispute which could lead to operational challenges, risk to business continuity and financial complications.

Contentious probate is a highly specialised area of law and whilst most prudent business owners and their families have estate planning in place to minimise disruption to the business, disputes can still arise unexpectedly which require executors, beneficiaries or other family members to obtain specialist advice.

Disputes we often see involving businesses after a person’s death include concerns about terms in wills (say if the disposal of shares is governed by the company’s articles and a gift of shares in the will cannot take effect), disagreements regarding
whether assets belonged to the deceased person or a partnership as well as the value of those assets, and disputes about sums which might be due from or to the deceased person in their role as director.

When a contentious probate dispute arises, parties often find that the administration of the estate cannot progress and this
can have a knock-on effect on the business, its employees and the wider family. Resolution of the dispute might involve court proceedings, but parties are strongly encouraged to explore alternative dispute resolution.

This means it is vital that specialist legal advice is sought at an early stage so that documents and other evidence can be safeguarded, facts can be ascertained and an appropriate strategy can be agreed for the business and the family
members affected.

For more information about Irwin Mitchell’s expertise in contentious probate visit www.irwinmitchell.com

Enjoyed this? Read more from Stephanie Kerr, partner, Irwin Mitchell

Latest news

1

Double digit promotions across Napthens Group 10 promotions at Napthens Group

Double digit promotions across Napthens Group

03 Oct 2025

2

Tourism Unsung Hero finalists revealed Jenny Moss Kate Pollard Peter Martland Andy Black

Tourism Unsung Hero finalists revealed

01 Oct 2025

3

Basil's in the pink Basil Newby

Basil's in the pink

30 Sep 2025

4

Celebrating the Women building Britain’s business future at The Enterprise Vision Awards The 2025 Enterprise Vision Award winners

Celebrating the Women building Britain’s business future at The Enterprise Vision Awards

30 Sep 2025

5

Business School recruits three industry leaders University of Lancashire recruit business leaders Rob Binns, Miranda Barker and Marcello Trovati new

Business School recruits three industry leaders

30 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world
Oct PTC.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October

Soul Bowl, Morecambe, LA4 4BU

08:00 - 10:00

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace
Muted Blue (4).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
08 Oct 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:30

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin