FAQs

Yes. If a will fails to make the provision the deceased intended because of negligent drafting, the disappointed beneficiary can claim against the solicitor or will writer, even though they weren't the drafter's client. Common examples include unclear wording, gifts that fail, and instructions that simply weren't carried out. The claim is usually for the inheritance the beneficiary should have received.

Possibly. Solicitors are expected to prepare wills within a reasonable time, and to act quickly where the client is elderly or seriously ill. If unreasonable delay means someone dies before their new will is in place, the people who would have inherited under it may be able to claim their lost inheritance from the solicitor. These claims are well established in law but turn heavily on the facts and timeline.

Yes, in the right circumstances. If a solicitor administering an estate makes errors, such as miscalculating Inheritance Tax, distributing to the wrong people, missing assets or causing unjustified delay and loss, the beneficiaries or executors may have a claim. Executors can also be personally liable for their own mistakes, which is one reason many instruct solicitors, but all professionals are accountable when their work falls short.

Yes. If a professional's advice on trusts, Inheritance Tax planning or wider estate planning fell below proper standards and left you or your family worse off, for example through avoidable tax charges or a trust that doesn't achieve what was intended, you may be able to recover those losses. These claims can be technical, so early specialist advice on whether the planning was genuinely negligent is important.

Gather what you can: the will or trust documents, correspondence with the professional, and evidence of the loss. Then take legal advice promptly, as strict time limits apply to negligence claims. We'll give you a realistic view of your prospects, and we always try to settle claims through negotiation or mediation before court action, so raising the issue early usually means more options and lower costs.