• 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

Leaving Family Members out of a Will

Bell Lax acted for the executrices of a will in which the deceased had left her best friend and long-term neighbour as the principal beneficiary in her will.

The deceased’s adult daughter, who had lived abroad for a number of years, was unhappy about this and disputed the validity of the will. She produced a previous will which she said was the valid one, and took out a caveat against probate in respect of her mother’s estate.

Bell Lax’s clients believed that this previous will was (a) superseded and (b) possibly obtained by undue influence. However, they sympathised with the position of the adult daughter and did not want to see her left with nothing from her mother’s estate. Nor did the principal beneficiary under the will.

Bell Lax were instructed to deal with the claim being put forward by the daughter of the deceased, and agree an amicable settlement with her, while getting the caveat against probate swiftly removed. It was necessary for Bell Lax to explain the weaknesses of the daughter’s legal claim to her, while at the same time explaining that both the executrices and the principal beneficiary were willing to offer her something, in the interests of fairness.

With Bell Lax’s assistance, the parties were able to agree such a settlement, with the result that probate was granted swiftly.