Contesting a Will Inner West
Obligation Free Case Assessment for Clients Across the Inner West
The death of a loved one is a difficult time and contesting a Will can make this period even harder. If you feel you’ve been unfairly provided for in a Will settlement, Bridge Legal may be able to help you.
With over 35 years of legal experience, Bridge Legal helps clients in the Inner West with a range of services related to contesting a Will.
Reasons to Contest a Will
A Will is a legal document that outlines how a person’s assets will be distributed after they pass away. While a Will contains a person’s final wishes, the law does recognise circumstances where a Will may be contested.
Undue Influence
If the Will was written under the influence of another person, and doesn’t reflect the wishes of the testator, the law may be able to recognise the Will as invalid and redistribute the assets more favourably to family members.
Lack of Testamentary Capacity
In some circumstances, the final wishes in a Will may have been written due to a person’s lack of mental capacity such as senility, insanity or dementia. These conditions can affect a person’s ability to:
- Understand the nature and value of their assets
- Have fair and reasonable judgment when deciding who will inherit certain assets
- Comprehend the legal effect and significance of signing a Will
Cases of Fraud
In extreme cases, a Testator may be tricked into signing a Will thinking that the document is something else. Proving that a Will was signed on fraudulent terms can be tricky, since the testator cannot be questioned.
Therefore, the success of these cases depends on the testimony of witnesses and evaluating their judgment based on certain conditions.
What We Do
In many cases, contesting a Will in the Inner West can be achieved through mediation.
Mediation gives both parties a chance to present their case, discuss different views, and hopefully reach a mutual agreement. At Bridge Legal, we can assist to host these sessions and make the process easy for you.
Mediation has many advantages over attending court such as:
- More cost-effective
- Less stressful and emotionally taxing
- Much quicker than waiting for a trial
- The final decision is made by both parties – not a Judge
In the event you cannot reach a settlement, Bridge Legal can help you prepare for a court trial and work towards reaching a fair settlement.
We Help Clients in the Inner West
Bridge Legal works closely with private and corporate clients in the Inner West. From small to medium financial planning firms, to accountants and brokers, we assist their clients on a range of issues regarding Will disputes.
The Bridge Legal office is located in North Sydney. It’s only a 20 minute drive from the Inner West and there’s secure parking on Berry Street.
Make a Claim Before It’s Too Late
Contesting a Will must be completed within 12 months in the event of a person’s death.