Challenge A Will

If you have been unfairly treated, or you have been left out of a Will altogether, AJB Stevens can help.

99.9% Success Rate
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70+ Years Combined Experience

We can help you with:

At AJB Stevens, we’re a dynamic law firm that puts your needs first. We pride ourselves on our personalised and professional service and our compassionate team will develop the best strategy to get you the best results.

Challenge an Invalid Will

If you believe a Will was not properly made, or is invalid in some way, we can advise you

Contest a Will

If your loved one had a Will, but you believe you have been unfairly treated in that Will, we can help

Contest without a Will

If there was no Will, but you still think you have been unfairly treated, get in touch

Resolve Will Disputes

Resolve conflict over a loved one’s Will

Can AJB Stevens help me?

Have you or a loved one been unfairly treated or been left out of a Will completely?
In the absence of a Will, are you concerned about your entitlements?
Do you believe that your loved one made a Will when they were incapable of doing so?
Do you think there was undue pressure in making a Will?
Do you think there was fraud in the creation of a Will?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be able to challenge a Will and the Wills and Estate team at AJB Stevens can help you. At AJB Stevens, our lawyers are the experts and industry leaders in challenging and contesting wills. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

How Can AJB Stevens Help Me in Challenging a Will?

Each Will and Estate case is different and unique in its own right. Seeking the help of AJB Stevens will ensure that you receive what you are owed and get the legal help advice that you deserve.

Contest a Will

If there is a Will, but you believe you have been unfairly treated or left out of it altogether, AJB Stevens will be able to help you receive your fair entitlements.

Contesting an estate where there is no Will

If there is no Will, rules set out in legislation determine who gets what. If you think that those rules result in an unfair outcome for you, we may be able to help.

Grounds for disputing or challenging a Will

You may believe that there was something wrong with the drafting/execution of the Will itself. For example, you may consider that your loved one was incapable of producing a Will at the time, or that there was undue fraud or pressure in its creation

Dispute Resolution

Not all disputes need to go to court. The AJB Stevens team can ensure your voice is heard both inside and outside of the courtroom.

Adhere to Will Time Limits

Time limits may apply to the contesting or challenging of a Will. Working with a specialist team will ensure you meet all deadlines.

Why Choose Us?

Each Will and Estate case is different and unique in its own right. Seeking the help of AJB Stevens will ensure that you receive what you are owed and get the legal help advice that you deserve.

Request a Consultation

Complete our online enquiry form below and speak with an experienced Senior Lawyer today.

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Steven Mousas Lawyer at AJB Stevens

How can we help?

If you have been unfairly treated, or you have been left out of a Will altogether, AJB Stevens can help.

Each Divorce and Separation case is different and unique in its own right. Seeking the help of AJB Stevens will ensure that you receive the compensation and entitlements you deserve to help get your life back on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to challenge or dispute a will?

The law relating to the dispute or challenge of a Will is extremely complex and difficult to understand without the proper experience. As Australian family situations become more complicated, so does the law. Generally speaking, Wills can be disputed in two key ways:

  • Contesting a Will
  • Challenging a Will as improperly made or executed.

A Will can be ‘contested’ where you believe that a Will does not provide for you or does not provide you with a fair entitlement. Sometimes in New South Wales, this is called a ‘family provision claim’. Note, you need to be an eligible person as defined in the law to make this type of claim

A Will can also be challenged on the grounds that:

  • The person signing it was mentally incapable of doing so, or
  • It was signed under duress or undue influence, or
  • There was fraud involved.

What steps should I take to challenge or contest a Will?

There are many reasons why a person might want to challenge or contest a Will. The main reasons include being left out of a Will or if a person has been unfairly provided for. If you believe this has happened to you or a loved one, then seek legal help as soon as possible.

Your legal team will help you establish:

  • If you are eligible to lodge a ‘family provision’ claim
  • If the Will meets legal validity requirements
  • If the deceased was incapable in some way of making a valid Will
  • If the deceased was pressured or threatened to sign a Will.

What Do You Do If the Will is Not Fair?

If there is a Will for your loved one, but the Will does not provide for you, or you believe it provides you with unfair provision, you can ‘contest’ that Will. Sometimes in New South Wales, this is called a ‘family provision’ claim. Note, you need to be an eligible person as defined in the law to make this type of claim.

Am I an ‘eligible person’ for the purposes of contesting a Will?

Section 57 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) sets out strict criteria as to who is able to contest a Will under that Act. These people, in relation to the deceased, are:

  • their spouse;
  • their de facto partner;
  • their child;
  • their former spouse;
  • a person
  • who was, at any particular time, wholly or partly dependent on them, and
    • who is a grandchild of them or was, at that particular time or at any other time, a member of their household;
    • a person who was living in a close personal relationship with them at the time of their death.

Note that being eligible to make this claim does not mean that you will be successful. Success requires satisfying the court that there was not ‘adequate provision’ made.

Can I challenge a Will if I have received something from the Will?

Yes. If you consider that the Will does not fairly provide for you and you meet eligibility criteria as defined in the law.

How much provision will I receive when I challenge a Will?

The amount that you will receive will depend on your circumstances, the circumstances of the estate and anyone else who may be entitled to provision.

The court will only make an order for provision out of the estate where the court judged that it ought to be made for the “maintenance, education or advancement in life of the eligible person, having regard to the facts known to the Court at the time the order is made.” This is a discretionary exercise and the court does not have to make an order or order any particular amount.

If the court does make an order for family provision, what will they take into account?

The court will consider the following factors:

  • the relationship between the applicant and the deceased, including the nature and duration of the relationship
  • the nature and extent of any obligations the deceased owed to the applicant, to any other person in respect of whom an application has been made for a family provision order or to any beneficiary of the estate
  • the nature and extent of the deceased’s estate
  • the financial resources (including earning capacity) and financial needs, both present and future, of the applicant
  • if the applicant is cohabiting with another person—the financial circumstances of the other person
  • any physical, intellectual or mental disability of the applicant
    the age of the applicant
  • any contribution (whether financial or otherwise) by the applicant to the estate of the deceased or to the welfare of them or their family
  • any provision made for the applicant by the deceased, either during the deceased’s lifetime or made from the deceased’s estate
  • any evidence of the intentions of the deceased, including evidence of statements made by the deceased
  • whether the applicant was being maintained by the deceased person before their death
  • whether any other person is liable to support the applicant
  • the character and conduct of the applicant before and after the date of the death of the deceased
  • the conduct of any other person before and after the date of the death of the deceased
  • any relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander customary law
  • any other matter, the Court considers relevant, including matters in existence at the time of the deceased person’s death or at the time the application is being considered.

Can I challenge an estate if there is no Will?

Yes. Where there is no will, the situation is called ‘intestacy’ and is governed by ‘intestacy rules’ set out in the Succession Act 2006 (NSW). Under section 59(1) of that Act, you can contest the amount that you would be awarded under the intestacy rules under section 59(1) of that Act.

Are There Time Limits For Challenging a Will?

Yes. Under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), you have 12 months to bring a ‘family provision’ claim, contesting that you were sufficiently provided for in the Will. This means you have 12 months to actually start the legal proceedings in a court.

If you wish to challenge the validity of a Will, there is no strict time limit for doing so. However, it is recommended that you do so before ‘probate’ is granted, or if probate has been granted, before the estate is distributed as you are less likely to succeed if that has already occurred. This is a process where the Court determines that the Will is, in fact, the final and valid Will of the deceased. The executor of the estate must apply for this within six months of the death of the deceased.

If in doubt, you should ring the court to determine if probate has been granted and, if you are considering challenging the validity of the Will, lodge a ‘probate caveat’, to stop probate being granted.

Can I challenge a Will if I am out of time?

Yes, under section 58(2), the court can allow an eligible person to contest the will for lack of family provision under the Succession Act 2006. However, you will need to show the court “sufficient cause” for why you couldn’t bring your case in time. In such a case the court will always consider whether the lateness of your claim might be prejudicial to other beneficiaries of the Will.

Can I challenge a Will if I am interstate?

Yes. You can challenge a will in NSW where the assets that constitute the estate are located in NSW. That is the state where probate will be granted (see section 40 of the Probate and Administration Act 1898).

Can I challenge a Will if I am Overseas?

Yes. You will need to engage a lawyer to challenge the will on your behalf in NSW.

Who pays the fees if I challenge a Will?

This depends on a range of factors. If your challenge is successful, it is possible that the costs will be paid out of the estate, but it is not guaranteed. For more information on payment for fees, get in touch with us.

I cannot afford a lawyer, how do I challenge a Will?

Talk with us about the possibility of challenging a will on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.

What is the process with AJB Stevens if I wish to challenge a Will?

When you work with AJB Stevens, the Family Law process could not be easier. Our top lawyers will assess your situation to ensure that you have a solid case. From here, we will look further into your situation, taking care to ensure we have all the information we need. Once all information is gathered, we will work to get you what you deserve, through negotiations. If negotiations do not work, then we will help you through the Court process.

How long might challenging a Will take?

This all depends on your case. Will and Estate claims can take anywhere from one to three years however this may take longer depending on your situation.

Your appointed AJB Stevens lawyer will be able to give you an estimate of how long things will take to progress and for you to receive entitlements, always making sure you are updated with any changes.

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