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April 10th 2026There has been a rise in disputes over estates, with many of the problems linked to outdated wills or the absence of any Will at all.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…
A Family Fall Out, a Contested Will and a Huge Court Bill
February 23rd 2026A recent High Court decision has brought Will and Inheritance Disputes into the spotlight and provides a stark reminder of how family disagreements can quickly turn into costly legal battles. In this article, our Head of Will and Inheritance Disputes, Rebecca Armstrong takes a closer look at the case and what could have been done differently. The case in brief A father (Laxmikant Patel) made a new Will shortly before…
What Happens If a Beneficiary Refuses to Engage With an Estate?
January 27th 2026Administering an estate can be challenging at the best of times. But what happens if a beneficiary simply refuses to engage, leaving the estate stuck for years? A recent High Court decision, Lowe v Daniells [2025], has provided important guidance on what can (and cannot) be done when a beneficiary’s silence brings estate administration to a standstill. In this article, Head of Will and Inheritance Disputes, Rebecca Armstrong, explains what…
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…
