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Inheritance Act Claims
Did you know that after you have died and even if you have made a will, a Judge you do not know, in a court you may never have been to, at a time you cannot predict may overturn your last wishes and do something entirely different? Many people are surprised to hear about the possible effects of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
Applications for ‘reasonable financial provision’ under the Inheritance Act can be made by:
- a spouse or registered civil partner (or a former spouse/civil partner) if they have not “remarried”
- a co-habitee of at least two years
- a child or a step child
- any other person who immediately before the death was being maintained by the deceased
If the application is successful the court can order a lump sum, periodical payments or a transfer/settlement of property
These cases need to be sensitively handled. Creative settlement solutions need to be considered at an early stage including round table meetings and mediations to help reduce the costs.
We routinely act for claimants, personal representatives and beneficiaries. As a result we are able to see things from both sides with a view to promoting early settlement if that is both sensible and possible.
For an example of the sort of cases we deal with see our case study
To speak to someone who can help with an Inheritance Act claim, call, email or request a call back from one of our specialist lawyers.