Sheffield Will, Trust & Probate Dispute Solicitors
Inheritance disputes can be deeply personal and legally complex. Our Sheffield probate dispute solicitors combine legal strength with compassion to help you secure a fair outcome and move forward with confidence.
Helping you to find the solution
Will, trust and inheritance disputes can happen in any family. Whether you are involved in a challenge to the validity of a will, a dispute relating to a family trust or a claim for a share of a loved one’s estate, our Sheffield will, trust and probate dispute solicitors can help you.
A compassionate and tailored approach
Disputes relating to family wealth come, all too often, at a time when families are bereaved and when emotions are already running high. Our team of experienced lawyers in Sheffield adopt a highly personal and tailored approach to each dispute. We understand that these matters will have a profound impact on multiple aspects of your life, and we will guide you through the complex and often emotional journey of disputes over family wealth with both compassion and empathy.
Clear advice and practical solutions
Whether you are a beneficiary, executor, trustee or an individual, we will work with you to advise on the best way to reach a solution in an easy to understand, efficient and cost-effective way. Wherever possible we seek to reach settlement through negotiation or mediation. Where a settlement is not possible, we will carefully guide you through the court process, highlighting the risks and costs of each step.
How we can help
We regularly advise on a wide range of will, trust and probate disputes including:
- Challenging and defending the validity of a will
- Bringing and defending claims for financial provision from an estate
- Trustee disputes
- Disputes involving Powers of Attorney
- Lifetime gifts, misappropriation of funds and legacies
- Removal and replacement of executors and trustees
- Correcting drafting errors and interpreting unclear will provisions
- Claims against professionals and will writers
We offer a no-obligation initial consultation to understand your needs and assemble the best legal team for your case. You’ll find us approachable and supportive throughout the process.
Sheffield Will, Trust and Probate Disputes team
Start with an initial no-obligation consultation and let us guide you through your options.
What sets us apart
Our Sheffield will, trust and probate dispute team is highly regarded, with rankings in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. Clients describe us as a dynamic, approachable team with outstanding expertise.
From your first conversation with us, we focus on clarity and reassurance. We’ll explain your options, outline clear next steps and be upfront about costs from the outset. We communicate in the way that suits you best and are always on hand to answer questions, guide you through the process and work towards the best possible resolution for you.
Transparent funding options
We provide transparent and straightforward costs information from the outset and throughout your case. Where appropriate, we will also explore alternative funding options, including “no win no fee”, deferred fee arrangements, insurance, or third‑party funding.
Expert dispute lawyers
Our specialist lawyers have a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes in a wide range of probate and trust disputes, including complex and high‑value matters. As a full‑service firm, we draw on expertise from our private client, tax, agricultural and commercial teams, and regularly advise on farming estates and family businesses.
Alternatives to court
Wherever possible, we encourage resolution through negotiation or mediation and can represent you throughout the alternative dispute resolution process. Court proceedings are always a last resort, and we will only recommend litigation where it is in your best interests.
Recognised leaders
Our Sheffield team is ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as one of the leading probate dispute teams in South Yorkshire. Many of our lawyers are members of ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) and hold STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualifications.
Client success stories
Successfully defending a contested will claim
We acted for defendants facing a will challenge that, if successful, would have resulted in them losing their home. The matter proceeded to High Court litigation, requiring careful management of evidence and a robust defence of the will’s validity. Through strategic litigation and negotiation, we protected our clients’ position and secured the transfer of the property into their ownership.
Outcome: Clients retained their home following a successful High Court outcome.
Advising on complex inheritance and partnership claims
We advised a farmer on multiple disputes following his father’s death, including proprietary estoppel claims, partnership disputes and issues concerning the beneficial ownership of assets. The matter involved farming assets and long‑standing family arrangements, requiring detailed factual analysis and practical, commercially focused advice.
Outcome: Disputes addressed holistically, protecting the client’s farming interests and long‑term position.
Advising trustees of a £50m+ trust
We advised trustees managing assets valued in excess of £50 million following claims by beneficiaries that resulted in deadlock and the removal of previous trustees. Our advice focused on trustee duties, risk management and restoring effective governance of the trust.
Outcome: Trust administration stabilised and trustees supported in managing ongoing beneficiary issues.
Advising on will construction and beneficiary entitlements
We advised a beneficiary of a £1.2 million estate where the wording of the will created uncertainty around entitlement. We provided advice on construction and represented the beneficiary in pre‑action negotiations to resolve the dispute.
Outcome: Entitlement clarified and dispute progressed without litigation.
FAQs
We advise on a wide range of disputes, including challenges to the validity of a will, claims for financial provision from an estate, trustee disputes, executor issues, disputes over lifetime gifts, drafting errors in wills, and claims against professionals and will writers.
Yes. Many people contact us at an early stage when they are unsure of their position. We can review the circumstances, explain your options clearly, and advise whether a claim or defence may be appropriate.
We act for beneficiaries, executors, trustees and individuals who feel they have been unfairly treated or excluded. Our advice is tailored to your role and the specific issues involved.
Not necessarily. Wherever possible, we aim to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation. Court proceedings are a last resort, and if litigation is required, we will guide you through the process and explain the risks and costs at each stage.
Costs depend on the complexity of the dispute and how it is resolved. We provide clear and transparent costs information from the outset and keep you informed throughout your case, so there are no unexpected surprises.
In appropriate cases, we can explore alternative funding arrangements, such as “no win no fee”, deferred fees, insurance, or third‑party funding. We will discuss the options available to you at an early stage.
Following an initial discussion, we will provide a focused plan setting out the information we need from you and the recommended next steps. Our aim is to give you clarity and reassurance from the very start.
Testimonials
"The team I work with is small but very specialist and experienced. I have full confidence in Carla Rist with whom I work the most. She is bright a...
The Legal 500, 2026
"James, it was a pleasure dealing with you, thank you for all your advice."
Client testimonial
"Carla Rist enjoys a deservedly high reputation for delivering the service, as do others within her team."
The Legal 500, 2026
"Carla Rist is a superb operator. A real expert and leader in the local contested probate market. Wise, commercial and friendly but with the abilit...
The Legal 500, 2026
"James, thank you so much for everything you have done for us you have made what has been an awful extremely stressful 18 months bearable as it cou...
Client testimonial
"Carla Rist is a director in Freeths' private client dispute resolution practice. Rist has expertise in contentious wills, trusts and estates and a...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"James Wright is meticulous in his preparation of cases."
The Legal 500, 2026
“Nicola is a real asset to the team. I love her persona… and I like her strategy. Thank you for the work you have done for us”.
Client testimonial
Our accreditations
We are celebrating another year of accreditations and rankings.
Meet our team
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