JMW Achieves Settlement in Contested Inheritance Act Claim

JMW’s Private Wealth Disputes team acted for beneficiaries defending a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and secured a negotiated settlement that brought a long-running family dispute to an end.

The Case

Our clients were beneficiaries of their late father’s estate and inherited his assets in equal shares under the terms of his will.

A claim was subsequently brought by the deceased’s stepdaughter under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The claim alleged that the will failed to make reasonable financial provision for her.

The dispute became increasingly acrimonious and created significant stress and uncertainty for our clients. They wanted to resolve the matter as efficiently as possible while remaining mindful of their late father’s wishes.

How Did JMW Help?

Our clients instructed JMW to assess the merits of the claim and advise them on the most appropriate strategy.

JMW Private Wealth Solicitor Matilda Hall reviewed the allegations being made, advised on the strengths and weaknesses of the parties’ respective positions and helped our clients navigate the litigation process.

Throughout the matter, we remained focused on achieving a practical resolution that balanced the commercial realities of litigation with our clients’ desire to respect their father’s testamentary wishes.

We represented our clients through the dispute and attended a Financial Dispute Resolution hearing, where negotiations took place between the parties.

The Outcome

Following the Financial Dispute Resolution hearing, a settlement was reached that brought the claim to a conclusion.

The agreement enabled the parties to avoid further litigation and provided certainty after what had been a particularly stressful and emotional period for our clients.

Inheritance Act claims can place significant emotional and financial pressure on families. By taking a strategic approach from the outset and engaging constructively in negotiations, we helped our clients achieve a resolution and move forward.

The case also highlighted the importance of obtaining specialist legal advice as early as possible when faced with a claim against an estate.