Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Challenge a Will With a Lawyer Who Knows When You Have a Case
Challenging a will is difficult, time-sensitive and emotionally charged — and the grounds are narrower than most people assume. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who assesses and pursues will disputes across Europe.
- Validity, capacity & influence claims
- Strict-deadline aware
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Contesting a will is not about being unhappy with it
Contesting a will means asking a court to set aside or vary a will because it does not reflect a valid, lawful expression of the deceased’s wishes. The legal grounds are specific: the will may fail the formal requirements, the person who made it may have lacked mental capacity or been unduly influenced, or a genuine will may have been hidden or replaced by a later forgery. In several European jurisdictions there are also claims for those the law protects — a spouse or child entitled to a reserved portion of the estate who was left out. These cases carry strict time limits that differ by country, and acting on a suspicion rather than evidence can waste years and money. A lawyer first tells you honestly whether you have a viable claim, then pursues it in the right forum and within the right deadlines.
Why valid claims fail
The will may be unfair.
Unfair is not always enough.
Courts only set aside wills on specific legal grounds, within strict deadlines — and mistaking disappointment for a claim is costly.
No recognised legal ground
Being unhappy with a will, or left less than you expected, is not itself a reason to overturn it. Without a ground such as invalidity, incapacity, undue influence or a reserved-share claim, a challenge has little chance.
A deadline already missed
Will disputes are subject to fixed time limits that vary by country, and once they pass your claim can be lost entirely — even if the will was clearly defective.
A claim built on suspicion
Alleging undue influence or forgery requires evidence, not intuition. Pursuing a claim without it, or without understanding what must be proved, can leave you with nothing but costs.
What you get
A lawyer who tells you the truth about your claim
We match you with will-dispute lawyers who assess claims honestly and pursue only those with a real prospect of success.
A candid viability assessment
Your lawyer examines the will, the circumstances and the evidence and tells you plainly whether you have a recognised ground and a realistic prospect — before you commit to litigation.
Evidence gathered correctly
Medical records, witness accounts, drafts and correspondence are secured and presented in the form the court requires, so your strongest argument is not lost through poor preparation.
Deadlines protected
The strict time limits that govern will disputes are identified and met, so a viable claim is not forfeited by a missed filing or notice.
Representation through resolution
From negotiation with the other beneficiaries to full court proceedings and any appeal, your lawyer pursues your claim and protects your interests at every single stage.
Coverage
Will-dispute lawyers across Europe
The grounds for contesting a will, the time limits and the court procedure are all national, so the right lawyer practises where the estate is administered. We match cases across:
Frequently asked
Contesting a will — common questions
On what grounds can a will be challenged?
The recognised grounds vary by country but commonly include failure to meet formal requirements, lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence or fraud, and the existence of a later valid will. In some jurisdictions a claim may also be based on a reserved share the law guarantees to certain relatives.
How long do I have to contest a will?
Time limits differ significantly by country and by the type of claim, and some are measured in months from when you learned of the will. Because missing the deadline can extinguish your claim, the first step is to confirm the period that applies to your situation.
I was left out of the will — can I challenge it?
It depends on the law that governs the estate. In several European countries, certain relatives such as children or a spouse hold a reserved portion they cannot be deprived of, which may give you a claim even if the will is otherwise valid. A lawyer assesses whether such protection applies to you.
What does ‘undue influence’ mean?
It generally means the person making the will was pressured or manipulated into decisions they would not otherwise have made. It is a serious allegation that must be proved with evidence, not suspicion, and the standard of proof and its definition vary between jurisdictions.
What will it cost to contest a will?
Costs depend on the country, the value of the estate and how far the case proceeds. Some jurisdictions allow fee arrangements tied to outcome, while others do not. A lawyer gives you a realistic estimate and an honest view of your prospects before you begin.
Can a will be challenged after the estate is distributed?
It becomes more difficult once assets have been transferred, and in some countries a claim may be barred or limited after distribution. For this reason, acting early — and confirming the applicable deadline — is essential if you believe a will should be challenged.
Free case review
Find out whether you have a claim worth pursuing
Tell us about the will and your concerns, and we’ll connect you with a will-dispute lawyer who practises in the relevant country — free of charge, with no obligation to instruct.