How much does it cost to contest a will in the UK?
Contesting a will can be a stressful legal process with several factors to take into account. One of the major concerns for anyone thinking of contesting is the potential costs and legal fees that might be accrued. In this guide, we’re going to answer the question, how much does it cost to contest a will in the UK?
How much does it cost to contest a will in the UK?
The total fees depend on the stage of the dispute that the contest reaches before it is settled. If, following an initial letter, the opponent concedes that the will is invalid, legal costs might be in the range of £5,000 to £15,000. If it isn’t settled at this stage though, it will have to progress to mediation, which can increase the costs to between £20,000 and £25,000. If by this point the case cannot be settled, it may be necessary to progress to court proceedings, which can cost from £15,000 to £20,000 (in addition to the sums incurred already). After this, the next step would be proceeding to a final trial, which can bring overall costs up to over £100,000.
While the amount of some of these costs may seem worrying, it is worth bearing in mind that only around 50% of will contests go as far as court proceedings. Additionally, substantially less than 1% of our own claims go all the way to a final trial. It tends to be in the interest of both parties to resolve things quickly and keep legal fees to a minimum, so it’s very rare to see fees reach the top end of the range.
Why is it expensive to contest a will?
There is a huge range of factors that go into contesting a will. If the deceased didn’t have full mental capacity when executing the will, it might be necessary to seek an expert medical examination. Similarly, in cases where fraud is alleged, it’s sometimes necessary to bring in handwriting specialists.
Whenever a case goes to court, litigation can become much more expensive. This can cause legal costs to rise quickly, and for this reason, it’s important to have a solicitor who knows how to settle cases as quickly as possible with positive results. Keeping costs down by bringing cases to their conclusion as soon as possible is the role a solicitor plays in contesting a will.
Contact us
If you’re thinking you might contest a will yourself and you’re worried about the potential costs, make sure to get in touch with us at Will Claim Solicitors. We offer a free claim assessment to see if we feel your case would be suitable, as well as a ‘no win, no fee’ policy. Get in touch with us at 02033225103 to learn more and find out if we can take on your case. If you have other questions like ‘how much does it cost to contest a will in the UK?’, our team is more than happy to answer them.