Patel v O’Sullivan: High Court Upholds Validity of Final Will
June 1st 2026A late amendment to a Will has survived legal challenge in the recent High Court case of Patel v O’Sullivan, after the court confirmed that a July 2020 Will executed by Mrs Patel just weeks before her death was valid. Selina Gonzalez, Associate Solicitor in our Will Claims team, reports on this recent case. Mrs Patel’s daughter argued that an earlier Will drafted just the previous month should instead take…
Increase in Caveats Highlights Need for Caution in Probate Disputes
April 23rd 2026A recent Law Society article has highlighted a rise in the number of people entering ‘Caveats’ to prevent the administration of estates. Selina Gonzalez, Associate Solicitor in our Will Claims team, explains why caution is essential when considering the use of a caveat in probate disputes. A caveat is a formal notice that prevents Executors from obtaining a Grant of Probate. Caveats last for six months and can be renewed.…
Rise in Will disputes prompts warning to people in their 40s and 50s
April 10th 2026There has been a rise in disputes over estates, with many of the problems linked to outdated wills or the absence of any Will at all. According to research published by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, eight in ten lawyers say they have seen an increase in contested estates over the past five years. Selina Gonzalez, Associate Solicitor in our Will Claims Team, provides an update. The survey, which questioned…
What happens if an unmarried person dies without a Will?
October 16th 2025A recent survey undertaken by Will Aid has discovered that two-thirds of unmarried cohabitees (i.e. people who live together) don’t know what would happen to their estate if they were to die without a Will. Common misconceptions A quarter of those surveyed falsely believe that their estate would automatically pass to their partner. This is a common misconception, associated with the myth of ‘common law marriage’, which wrongly suggests that…
Cumbrian legal firm shortlisted for national law award
August 28th 2025A Cumbrian legal firm has achieved national recognition after being named as a finalist in the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors is shortlisted for the best Contentious Wills & Probate team (Boutique) at the awards which celebrate legal excellence across the country. Rebecca Armstrong, who is Head of Will and Inheritance Disputes at Cartmell Shepherd, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for our specialist expertise in…
