This independent guide highlights leading firms in disputed wills, estates and trusts in and around Birmingham, based on publicly available directory recognition, notable casework and sector presence. It is intended to help families and executors find experienced representation for claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, will challenges, executor disputes and trust litigation.
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1) Irwin Mitchell
Nationally known for will, trust and estate disputes, with a Midlands team handling complex validity challenges, Inheritance Act claims and executor removal applications.[1]
- Key lawyers: Kamal Majevadia, Gavin Faber, Paula Myers
- Notable recognition: team described as one of the largest specialist groups for will and estate disputes in England.[1]
2) Shakespeare Martineau
Experienced contentious probate group advising on undue influence, testamentary capacity, executor disputes and cross border estates. Leadership includes practitioners recognised in legal directories.[2]
- Key lawyers: Andrew Wilkinson, Alistair Spencer, Tamsin Walker
- Directory comment: praised for pragmatic, commercial advice in complex estate disputes.[2]
3) Mills and Reeve
Private wealth disputes team dealing with high value estates, proprietary estoppel and trust litigation across the Midlands.[3]
- Key lawyers: Lucy Howard, Kim Ryan, Kieran Leahy
- Directory note: recognised for complex estate and trust disputes including cross border issues.[3]
4) Weightmans
Full service contentious trusts and estates practice advising beneficiaries, executors and trustees on validity, administration and Inheritance Act claims.[4]
- Key lawyers: Matthew Morton, David McGuire, Sarah Walker
- Directory comment: team highlighted for private wealth disputes expertise across England and Wales.[4]
5) VWV
Specialist contentious probate team led by highly rated partners, acting on will challenges, estate administration disputes and Court of Protection litigation.[5]
- Key lawyers: Michelle Rose, Fiona Lawrence, Vicky Ward
- Client comment: praised for strategic approach and robust representation in complex estates.[5]
6) Lodders
Disputed wills and estates team advising executors and beneficiaries on validity challenges, proprietary estoppel and trust issues, with central Birmingham presence in addition to Stratford upon Avon.[6]
- Key lawyers: Andrew Wylde, Jane Senior, Vicki Gulliver
- Note: long established regional firm serving Birmingham private clients.[6]
7) Higgs
Well regarded contentious probate group handling high value estates, executor and trustee disputes, with ACTAPS and STEP members in the team.[7]
- Key lawyers: Craig Ridge, Georgia Stott, Joseph Martin
- Directory quotes: team described as really capable and well organised.[7]
8) George Green
Dispute resolution team advising on will disputes, Inheritance Act claims and estate administration litigation for individuals and SMEs across the West Midlands.[8]
- Key lawyers: Susan Ford, Rachel Humphries, Liam Owen
- Directory note: praised for assured handling of disputed probate matters.[8]
9) Freeths
Contentious trusts and probate specialists with ACTAPS membership and experience in international estates and complex farming and business assets disputes.[9]
- Key lawyers: Mark Keeley, Max Orbach, Sarah Foster
- Directory comment: well regarded team across East and West Midlands.[9]
10) Anthony Collins Solicitors
Private client and Court of Protection specialists with experience in wills, trusts and estate disputes and contested CoP applications.[10]
- Key lawyers: Douglas Houghton, Donna Holmes, Alex Elphinston
- Note: Birmingham headquartered firm with recognised private client practice.[10]
How we chose these firms
Selection is informed by recent directory recognition, published case insights and Birmingham presence. We keep links to one or two authoritative sources per firm, with Wikipedia style endnotes to support verification.
FAQs
What is contentious probate?
Contentious probate covers disputes about a deceased person’s estate. It includes challenges to the validity of a will, claims for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance Act 1975, and disagreements about how the estate is administered.[A]
Can I contest a will in England and Wales?
Yes. Common grounds are lack of testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval, undue influence and failure to execute formalities. Evidence such as medical records and witness statements is usually required.[B]
Is there a time limit for an Inheritance Act 1975 claim?
Generally six months from the date of the grant of representation. Courts can allow late claims but you should seek advice quickly.[C]
Do I have to go to court?
Not always. Many disputes resolve through negotiation or mediation. Courts expect parties to consider alternative dispute resolution and can penalise unreasonable refusal in costs.[D]
What is a probate caveat and when should I enter one?
A caveat temporarily stops a grant of probate issuing. It is used when you need time to investigate a potential validity challenge. It lasts six months and can be extended, but may be warned off.[E]
Who pays the legal costs?
Costs are at the court’s discretion. The general rule is the loser pays the winner’s costs, but in probate the court can depart from this where the will’s creation or the parties’ conduct caused the dispute.[F]
What evidence helps in a will challenge?
Medical records near the time of making the will, solicitor’s file, drafts and attendance notes, capacity assessments, witness accounts and contemporaneous correspondence.[G]
Can executors be removed?
Yes. The court can remove executors for serious misconduct or if the administration is being compromised. Alternatives include directions applications and neutral stance in Inheritance Act claims.[H]
Does Birmingham have specialist courts for these cases?
Probate and estate disputes are usually heard in the High Court’s Chancery Division or County Court. Many West Midlands matters are managed through the Birmingham Civil Justice Centre with remote and in person hearings.
How do I choose the right firm?
Look for recent directory recognition, ACTAPS or STEP credentials, and case experience similar to your situation. Ask about funding options, strategy, and early case assessment.
Endnotes
- Irwin Mitchell will, trust and estate disputes overview and Birmingham leadership. Source: irwinmitchell.com; profile noting Birmingham team lead Kamal Majevadia and announcement re Gavin Faber. Kamal Majevadia; Gavin Faber. ↩ ↩
- Shakespeare Martineau contentious probate service and team members. Source: shma.co.uk; people pages for Andrew Wilkinson, Alistair Spencer, Tamsin Walker. ↩ ↩
- Mills and Reeve private wealth disputes team. Sources: mills-reeve.com; Chambers Midlands recognition mentioning Birmingham team members. chambers.com. ↩ ↩
- Weightmans disputed wills, trusts and estates, including national head and Birmingham private wealth contact. Sources: weightmans.com; Matthew Morton; David McGuire; Sarah Walker. ↩ ↩
- VWV contentious probate service and partner profiles. Sources: vwv.co.uk; Michelle Rose; Fiona Lawrence; Vicky Ward. ↩ ↩
- Lodders disputed wills and estates plus Birmingham office presence. Sources: lodders.co.uk; office pages and firm information. ↩ ↩
- Higgs contentious probate team and directory quotes. Sources: higgsllp.co.uk; Legal 500 editorial for the West Midlands. legal500.com. ↩ ↩
- George Green will disputes and inheritance claims plus directory notes. Sources: georgegreen.co.uk; Legal 500 commentary. legal500.com. ↩ ↩
- Freeths contentious trusts and probate service and recognition. Sources: freeths.co.uk; Legal 500 Midlands notes. legal500.com. ↩ ↩
- Anthony Collins Solicitors private client and Court of Protection content plus Birmingham HQ address. Sources: anthonycollins.com; team profile for Douglas Houghton; Chambers office listing. Team; chambers.com. ↩ ↩
- Overview of contentious probate and will disputes. See specialist firm guides such as Irwin Mitchell and Weightmans service pages cited above at [1] and [4]. ↩
- Grounds for contesting a will explained. Sources: irwinmitchell.com; weightmans.com. ↩
- Inheritance Act time limits summary. Source: weightmans.com. ↩
- ADR expectations in probate disputes noted across firm guidance and court practice. Examples at [1] and [5]. ↩
- Probate caveat purpose and duration widely explained in practitioner guides and firm resources, for example [1] and [4]. ↩
- Costs discretion in probate cases referenced in firm insights at [4] and general civil procedure. ↩
- Evidence types referenced across practitioner pages, see [1] and [5]. ↩
- Executor removal principles outlined at [1] and [4]. ↩
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