• Bell Lax pioneered no win no fee arrangements for commercial disputes. If you lose, we lose, therefore we always fight for you.

  • Bell Lax pioneered no win no fee arrangements for commercial disputes. If you lose, we lose, therefore we always fight for you.

Dispute
Resolution

Claims Against Estates

If you were financially dependent on an individual who passed away, you may have a claim upon that individual’s estate.

These claims are often brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and are often (but not exclusively) brought by children of, or partners of, the deceased.

Case law indicates that even an adult who no longer has contact with their parents may have a claim for reasonable financial provision to be left for them in a deceased parent’s will, if they have a reasonable financial need for it.

However, case law also indicates that the interests of others should be taken into account in making any award and that “there is no occasion for [the] court to attempt to meet every difficulty to which claims for family provision may give rise”. Accordingly, there are often good defences to such claims.

These cases are fact dependent, and you should speak with one of our specialist lawyers on the subject with no obligation by calling 0121 355 0011.