Users' questions 

Can beneficiaries challenge a will?

Leia Doyle

Can beneficiaries challenge a will?

Even if the will is valid, certain relatives and dependants can challenge the division of the estate under the will (or the rules of intestacy), by claiming under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (the 1975 Act) that it does not make ‘reasonable financial provision’ for them.

What are your rights as a beneficiary of a will?

If a beneficiary feels that the estate is not being administered correctly or it is being mismanaged, they have the right to take formal action. A beneficiary only has the legal right to view a will after the Grant of Representation has been issued as this is when the will becomes a public document.

What questions need to be answered for a will?

In this article, we’ve outlined the five questions every attorney will ask you when drafting up your will.

  • What Do You Hope To Achieve With A Will?
  • What Is Your Family Situation?
  • What Assets Do You Own?
  • Where Do You Want Your Assets To Be Distributed?
  • Who Will Be Responsible For Your Estate?

How soon after a death is the will read?

There isn’t an official will ‘reading’ as such. Instead, the will remains secret until the testator has passed away. When this happens, the executor is contacted by the will writers and left to contact any beneficiaries mentioned in the document.

What should I write in a will?

How to write a will

  1. your home, and any other property you own.
  2. savings in bank and building society accounts.
  3. National Savings, such as premium bonds.
  4. insurance, such as life assurance or an endowment policy.
  5. pension funds that include a lump sum payment on death.
  6. investments such as stocks and shares or investment trusts.

How long after someone dies is a will read?

In most cases, a will is probated and assets distributed within eight to twelve months from the time the will is filed with the court. Probating a will is a process with many steps, but with attention to detail it can be moved along. Because beneficiaries are paid last, the entire estate must be settled first.

What is the simplest way to make a will?

Get started and complete your will in 10 simple steps:

  1. Find an estate planning attorney or use a do-it-yourself software program.
  2. Select beneficiaries for your will.
  3. Choose the executor for your will.
  4. Pick a guardian for your kids.
  5. Be specific about who gets what.
  6. Be realistic about who gets what.