Estate disputes are more than legal battles—they often bring emotional strain, family tension, and a deep sense of personal injustice. At Queensland Estate Lawyers, we help clients navigate these turbulent situations with clarity, expertise, and compassion. Whether you’re contesting a will, defending your rights as a beneficiary, or acting as an executor under pressure, our dedicated team is here to ensure your voice is heard and your rights are upheld.
Disagreements over a will can feel overwhelming, especially when they occur at a time of grief. That’s why we take the time to understand your unique circumstances and craft strategic legal solutions that deliver fair outcomes, while preserving dignity and family relationships where possible.
A will is intended to reflect the genuine intentions of the deceased, providing direction on how their assets are to be distributed. But what happens when that will is unclear, unfair, or possibly even unlawful? Legal challenges can arise from perceived injustices, inconsistencies, or suspicions of wrongdoing.
Some common estate issues include:
Our experienced team helps clients across Queensland take action when estate matters become contested. We aim to protect both your legal entitlements and your peace of mind.
Not everyone has the right to contest a will. Under Queensland law, only eligible persons can initiate a challenge or make a family provision application. These generally include:
Each situation is assessed based on relationship, financial need, and the provision made in the will. Our legal team provides a thorough analysis of your eligibility and will guide you through the process from start to finish.
If a person has used manipulation, coercion, or pressure to get the will-maker to change their will in a way that benefits them unfairly, the court may deem the will invalid. This is common when the will-maker is elderly, frail, or isolated.
To make a valid will, the person must understand what a will is, the extent of their assets, and who might expect to inherit. If someone was suffering from a cognitive condition like dementia, their capacity may be called into question.
Queensland law has strict requirements for how a will must be signed and witnessed. If the formal process wasn’t correctly followed, the court may reject the document—even if the contents seem legitimate.
Sometimes, doubts arise about how the will was created. Was the document forged? Was the will-maker fully aware of its contents? Our team investigates such cases carefully, seeking out medical reports, witness evidence, and handwriting verification if needed.
Known as family provision claims, these allow eligible individuals to seek a more appropriate share of the estate if they believe they’ve been unfairly left out or given too little.
A contested will can lead to lengthy, expensive, and emotionally draining proceedings. Engaging experienced will dispute lawyers Brisbane early in the process gives you the best chance of resolving your dispute efficiently and favourably.
Our services include:
We approach every case with care and attention to detail, working to ensure that the legal process respects the deceased's intentions and protects your entitlements under the law.
In Queensland, there are specific deadlines for taking legal action in will disputes. These time limits are strict and enforced by the court:
Missing these deadlines can result in your claim being barred, no matter how valid it may be. That’s why it's essential to speak with a lawyer as soon as you suspect an issue with a will or your share of the estate.
While many clients seek our help to challenge a will, we also regularly act on behalf of executors or beneficiaries who need to defend a valid will. Defending a will can be just as complex as contesting one and requires meticulous preparation and legal insight.
If you’ve been appointed as the executor of an estate and someone has brought a claim against the will, our team will help you meet your legal duties while protecting the estate and avoiding unnecessary delays. We’ll also assist in responding to any court applications or attending mediation sessions as needed.
In some cases, the will-maker may have chosen to leave little or nothing to someone who reasonably expected to be included—perhaps a dependent adult child or a long-time partner. Queensland law provides a mechanism for such people to claim adequate provision through a family provision application.
These cases don’t seek to invalidate the will but to adjust the distribution in a way the court deems fair. The court considers many factors, such as:
Our role is to ensure that your application is supported by strong evidence and well-argued submissions, increasing the likelihood of a fair and reasonable settlement—often without court intervention.
Not every will dispute has to end up in court. In fact, many disputes are successfully resolved through mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods. Mediation allows both sides to work toward a mutually acceptable outcome in a confidential and more collaborative setting.
Our lawyers are skilled in mediation and negotiation. We aim to avoid unnecessary litigation wherever possible while ensuring your rights are protected and your concerns are properly addressed.
At Queensland Estate Lawyers, we’re proud to focus exclusively on estate law. This narrow focus means we bring unmatched expertise and deep understanding to every case we handle. Our clients choose us for many reasons, including:
We’ve successfully represented clients in hundreds of will disputes, from modest estates to multi-million-dollar matters. Our history of favourable outcomes speaks for itself.
We understand that estate disputes are deeply personal. That’s why we offer not just legal expertise, but emotional support and sensitivity during what may be a difficult period.
Legal matters can be confusing. We take pride in keeping you fully informed, explaining your options in plain language, and helping you make confident decisions.
Our team of will dispute lawyers Brisbane is familiar with the Queensland court system and local legal practices, ensuring you receive region-specific advice and representation.
Case A: We helped a widow challenge a will that had excluded her in favour of distant relatives. Through a family provision claim, she was awarded a significant share of the estate.
Case B: A client defending a contested will was accused of influencing their elderly parent. We demonstrated that the will was made independently and voluntarily, and the court upheld its validity.
Case C: A stepson unfairly left out of a will received legal recognition and financial provision after we uncovered evidence of a long-term dependency relationship.
Each case we handle reflects our commitment to fairness, evidence-based legal work, and resolving matters with minimal conflict where possible.
Estate disputes are never easy—but you don’t have to face them alone. Whether you’re defending a will, pursuing a claim, or simply unsure of your legal rights, the right legal advice can make all the difference.
With decades of combined experience, our team of will dispute lawyers Brisbane residents trust is ready to provide the guidance, advocacy, and clarity you need.
Don’t let uncertainty or inaction prevent you from asserting your rights. Contact Queensland Estate Lawyers today for a confidential consultation and discover how we can help you protect your future and honour the legacy of your loved ones.