Proper planning of the transfer of assets between generations brings peace of mind and prevents disputes. The firm drafts wills, handles inheritance and probate proceedings, and represents clients in disputes - with sensitivity to the family and to the testator's wishes.
The law recognises four types of will: handwritten, witnessed, before an authority, and oral (in special circumstances only). The most common and secure form is a witnessed will - a written document signed in the presence of two witnesses. Preparation of the will by a lawyer, with care taken over the formal requirements of the law and documentation of the circumstances of its making, reduces the risk of defects and objections.
An inheritance order is issued when a person dies without a will, or for the part of the estate not covered by one, and it declares who the heirs are under the law. The order is generally issued by the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs; the application is referred to the court only in certain cases, for example when an objection has been filed. A probate order validates an existing will and gives it binding legal force. Both orders are required for the transfer of assets and registration at the Land Registry.
Anyone with an interest in the matter may file an objection to an application for a probate order - not only statutory heirs but also, for example, a person who benefits under another will. The objection is filed with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs within the set period and as long as the order has not been issued, and the matter is then referred to the family court. Common grounds include formal defects, undue influence, lack of legal capacity at the time the will was made, or a claim that the will does not reflect the deceased's true wishes.
In straightforward cases - typically several months from filing the application with the Registrar of Inheritance Affairs. When there are disputes between heirs, or when an objection to a will is filed, the process may take years. Early engagement with a lawyer allows the process to be streamlined.
The law was reviewed as of 19 October 2026.
