Stephen Wood Mediation                          

Civil and Commercial Mediation                    Tel: 01295 814 999

Workplace Mediation                                       Mob: 07906 200 469

 Contentious Probate Disputes Mediator in Bath


Many different types of contentious probate disputes can arise.   These can include disagreements concerning:

  • Lack of testamentary capacity
  • Lack of testamentary intention
  • Lack of knowledge and approval
  • Lack of due execution
  • Undue influence
  • Fraud and forgery
  • Revocation
  • Construction or interpretation of a Will
  • A failure to make adequate financial provision
  • Disputes during the administration of estates

Mediation is ideally suited to resolving contentious probate, contested Wills and inheritance disputes. Family members are frequently still grieving and Court proceedings will often cause rifts between parents and children and drive a wedge between siblings.  Mediation allows parties to fully air their grievances whilst trying to preserve family relationships, and can hasten settlement. 

The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) Code for the resolution of trust and probate disputes endorses the use of mediation at an early stage.  Whilst the Code is voluntary, it is held in high regard by judges and the courts.

Consider Stephen's article 'Mediation of Contentious Probate Disputes'.

Why mediate contentious probate disputes?
  • To preserve the estate assets for the intended beneficiaries rather than spending large sums of money on litigation costs
  • To preserve relationships between beneficiaries 
  • Confidentiality, privacy and informality within the mediation process
  • Flexibility of solutions in mediation
  • A refusal to mediate can lead to the Court making an adverse costs order in litigation

 We can offer contentious probate mediations in solicitors' offices and neutral venues in and around Bath.

Stephen is an ADR Group Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator, an ADR Group Accredited Workplace Mediator and a Consultant Solicitor.

Call Stephen Wood on 07906 200 469 for an informal chat to discuss whether mediation could be suitable for your contentious probate dispute.