Wills, probate & estate: your guide to planning and inheritance law

Wills, probate, and estate law governs what happens to a person’s assets when they pass away. Whether you’re drafting a will, navigating probate, managing an estate, or facing an inheritance dispute, it’s essential to understand the legal processes that affect your rights — and your responsibilities. This hub explains the key steps involved in estate planning, probate administration, and dispute resolution, and guides you toward the right legal support when you need it.

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What is Wills, Probate & Estate Law?

Wills, probate and estate law covers everything from planning what happens to your assets when you die to handling the legal process after someone has passed. It ensures that your wishes are respected, your loved ones are protected, and any disputes are handled according to the law. It includes:

  • Writing legally valid wills
  • Managing inheritance when no will exists (intestacy)
  • Applying for probate to gain authority to deal with the estate
  • Resolving disputes about wills, trusts, or executors
  • Planning your estate in advance to protect your family

👉 What is probate and how it works
👉 How to make a will
👉 Grounds for contesting a will

What you’ll find in this Legal Hub

  • Wills: Writing, changing and storing a will, plus mirror wills and who can witness.
  • Contesting a Will: How to challenge a will, costs, legal grounds, and evidence.
  • Estate Planning: Tax planning, executor duties, inheritance disputes, and succession planning.
  • Probate: Understanding the probate process, costs, timelines, and your legal duties.
  • Contentious Probate: What to do when there’s a dispute over how an estate is handled.
  • Trust Disputes: How to sue or remove trustees, and how trust conflicts are resolved.
  • Powers of Attorney (POA & LPA): Legal powers before death, including health, financial, and lasting arrangements.

FAQs

FAQs

Not always — it depends on the estate’s value and types of assets.

The estate will be managed under intestacy rules. This can leave some family members excluded.

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Our top posts
on wills probate & estate

Rules of intestacy: What happens if you die without a will?
Rules of intestacy: What happens if you die without a will?

Published on 19/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Discover how UK intestacy rules decide who inherits if you die without a will, the risks for unmarried partners, and how solicitors can help protect your family’s future.

Rules of intestacy: What happens if you die without a will?
Understanding probate solicitors: fees, roles, and why you need one
Understanding probate solicitors: fees, roles, and why you need one

Published on 16/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Learn what probate solicitors do, how much they charge in the UK, and how to choose the right expert to manage your estate with clarity and care.

Understanding probate solicitors: fees, roles, and why you need one
Do I need probate if there is a will?
Do I need probate if there is a will?

Published on 15/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Having a valid will doesn’t always mean you can skip probate. Learn when probate is required in the UK and why executors must follow legal steps to access assets.

Do I need probate if there is a will?
How to make a will in the UK: checklist, costs & options
How to make a will in the UK: checklist, costs & options

Published on 14/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 5 mins

Dying without a will in the UK risks leaving loved ones unprotected. Discover why making a will is essential to secure your family’s future and avoid intestacy rules.

How to make a will in the UK: checklist, costs & options
How to avoid inheritance tax when second parent dies?
How to avoid inheritance tax when second parent dies?

Published on 12/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Discover how to legally avoid inheritance tax when your second parent dies. Learn key strategies like spousal exemptions, gifting, and trusts to protect your family's wealth.

How to avoid inheritance tax when second parent dies?
Dodging inheritance tax in the UK: The do’s and don’ts
Dodging inheritance tax in the UK: The do’s and don’ts

Published on 12/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Discover how to legally reduce or avoid the 40% UK inheritance tax with expert-approved strategies, including gifting, trusts, business reliefs, and estate planning tips.

Dodging inheritance tax in the UK: The do’s and don’ts
Seven-year rule: Reduce your inheritance tax liabilities!
Seven-year rule: Reduce your inheritance tax liabilities!

Published on 09/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Gifts become completely tax-free if you survive seven years after making them, with partial relief available after just three years under the inheritance tax 7 year rule.

Seven-year rule: Reduce your inheritance tax liabilities!
Can a surviving spouse change a mirror will?
Can a surviving spouse change a mirror will?

Published on 08/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 5 mins

Can a surviving spouse change a mirror will in the UK? Discover the legal risks, limits, and expert tips to protect your estate and ensure your original wishes are respected.

Can a surviving spouse change a mirror will?
Who can legally witness a will in the UK?
Who can legally witness a will in the UK?

Published on 08/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Discover who can legally witness a will in the UK and avoid costly mistakes. Learn the rules, risks, and why expert legal advice ensures your wishes are protected.

Who can legally witness a will in the UK?
Do you need a solicitor to make a will?
Do you need a solicitor to make a will?

Published on 07/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Wondering if you need a solicitor to write a will in the UK? Learn when legal advice is essential, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how a solicitor ensures your will is valid and dispute-proof.

Do you need a solicitor to make a will?
What happens if you die without a will?
What happens if you die without a will?

Published on 07/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 5 mins

Dying without a will in the UK triggers strict intestacy laws that ignore your personal wishes and exclude unmarried partners. Learn how to protect your loved ones—consult a will writing solicitor to take control of your legacy.

What happens if you die without a will?
How can solicitors help with will disputes?
How can solicitors help with will disputes?

Published on 06/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 5 mins

Disputing a will? Learn how expert will disputes solicitors can help you contest a will, protect your inheritance rights, and avoid costly court battles.

How can solicitors help with will disputes?
The role of contentious probate solicitors
The role of contentious probate solicitors

Published on 05/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Facing an inheritance dispute? Learn how a contentious probate solicitor can help resolve will challenges, executor conflicts, and Inheritance Act claims with expert legal support in the UK.

The role of contentious probate solicitors
What is probate & how it works?
What is probate & how it works?

Published on 05/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

The death of a loved one is always a stressful and upsetting time. Aside from the emotional distress, there is the complexity of dealing with their financial estate and Will. You may have heard the term probate but are unfamiliar with what it means.

What is probate & how it works?
How to change a will? : steps to add a codicil
How to change a will? : steps to add a codicil

Published on 03/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Two approaches can be taken in relation to the above statement. The first is from the point of view of your own personal will, while the alternative is from the point of view of changing a will made by someone else. Let us first look at the former situation.

How to change a will? : steps to add a codicil
Evidence needed to contest a will: Your complete guide
Evidence needed to contest a will: Your complete guide

Published on 02/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

What evidence do you need to contest a will in the UK? Discover the exact proof required for each legal ground—undue influence, lack of capacity, fraud, and more. Protect your inheritance rights with expert guidance.

Evidence needed to contest a will: Your complete guide
Guide to contest a will after probate in the UK
Guide to contest a will after probate in the UK

Published on 02/05/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Contesting a will after probate in the UK is possible if done within six months and based on valid legal grounds like undue influence or mental incapacity. Learn your rights and the legal process.

Guide to contest a will after probate in the UK
How much does it cost to contest a will in the UK?
How much does it cost to contest a will in the UK?

Published on 29/04/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 2 mins

Wondering how much it costs to contest a will in the UK? Learn about average expenses, no win no fee options, and strategies to manage your legal costs.

How much does it cost to contest a will in the UK?
Grounds for contesting a will in the UK: 6 legal reasons
Grounds for contesting a will in the UK: 6 legal reasons

Published on 25/04/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 6 mins

Discover the 6 legal grounds for contesting a will in the UK, from invalid execution to undue influence. Know your rights and when to seek legal help.

Grounds for contesting a will in the UK: 6 legal reasons
How to make an inheritance claim or contest a will in the UK?
How to make an inheritance claim or contest a will in the UK?

Published on 23/04/2025, by Qredible - Reading time: 5 mins

Learn how to contest a will or claim inheritance in the UK under the Inheritance Act 1975. Discover key steps, eligibility, deadlines, and when to consult a solicitor.

How to make an inheritance claim or contest a will in the UK?

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