Taunton inheritance claim solicitor wins Inheritance Act case at a fully contested trial
Taunton inheritance claim specialists, Slee Blackwell Solicitors, are one of the country’s leading experts in the field of inheritance disputes. We have a team of lawyers who deal exclusively with inheritance claims and frequently work on a no win, no fee basis. For a free case assessment call us on 01823 354545 or send us an email.
Taunton inheritance claim solicitors, Slee Blackwell, brought the claim on behalf of a stepson against his stepfather’s estate. The case was defended by our client’s stepbrother. His stepfather had died without leaving a will. Under the intestacy rules it is only biological children who inherit. Stepchildren receive nothing unless they have been officially adopted.
This struck our client as unfair, especially as his stepfather had inherited his mother’s estate when she died some years earlier. He believed that she would have wanted him to benefit.
He therefore decided to bring an Inheritance Act claim and contacted a member of our Taunton inheritance claim team for expert guidance. We reviewed the case and agreed to work on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Most inheritance claims settle out of court, often at mediation. However the stepbrother in this case refused to compromise and the claim proceeded all the way to a fully contested trial.
Our assessment of the merits of the case was shared by the trial judge. Highlighting the claimant’s health issues, his inability to work, his low standard of living, the size of the estate and the fact that the estate included assets from his mother, the judge ruled in our client’s favour. An award of £70,000 was made.
We are specialist inheritance claim lawyers. We are recommended by the independent Legal 500, and deal with claims not just in Somerset, but nationwide. We are proud of our track record of success and while the case featured in this post went to trial, most claims we deal with settle out of court.