Estate litigation lawyers act in family provision claims and disputes about the validity of a will.
firms
209
regions
16
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Eligible people who were left without adequate provision can ask the court for a greater share. Other disputes challenge whether the will is valid, for example because of lack of capacity or undue influence. Most claims settle at mediation. Time limits are strict and vary by state.
Why contested wills & family provision matters
Family provision claims can reshape an estate and often split families. Getting early advice helps resolve claims before costs eat into the inheritance.
The Australian context
Family provision laws differ by state, including who can claim and the time limit, which ranges from six months in Victoria to twelve months in NSW. Most claims resolve at mediation, and costs are often paid from the estate.
Contested Wills & Family Provision lawyers near you
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle West, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(221)Google rating from 221 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Next Legal and Conveyancing Pty Ltd provides legal services in Newcastle West, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(217)Google rating from 217 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
State Law Group provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Personal Injury.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(211)Google rating from 211 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 morePersonal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Preston, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(204)Google rating from 204 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Davis + Haven Legal provides legal services in Preston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Buderim, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(202)Google rating from 202 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Buderim, QLD. Listed practice areas include Class Actions, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Class Actions+7 morePersonal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Contested Wills & Family Provision · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Medical Negligence · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(179)Google rating from 179 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Class Actions and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 moreClass Actions · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Public Liability
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(143)Google rating from 143 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Gramelis Attorneys provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(127)Google rating from 127 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Class Actions, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Class Actions+7 morePersonal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Contested Wills & Family Provision · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Medical Negligence · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(121)Google rating from 121 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Cassab and Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(116)Google rating from 116 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Campus Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hamilton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(104)Google rating from 104 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Newcastle Legal provides legal services in Hamilton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Assault & Violent Offences · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Lakes, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(102)Google rating from 102 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in North Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Personal Injury.
Medical Negligence+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Class Actions · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(96)Google rating from 96 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Class Actions and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 moreClass Actions · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Unfair Dismissal · Workers CompensationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Class Actions.
Medical Negligence+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maribyrnong, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McManus & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Maribyrnong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West End, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Direct Lawyers Wills and Estates provides legal services in West End, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chermside, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Chermside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Class Actions.
Medical Negligence+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Highett, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
De Kretser Law provides legal services in Highett, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(75)Google rating from 75 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Corestone Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Franchising
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Traralgon, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(73)Google rating from 73 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Traralgon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Class Actions and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 moreClass Actions · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Public Liability
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Medical Negligence+7 morePersonal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Class Actions · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kincumber, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(69)Google rating from 69 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Patrick McHugh & Co. Solicitors provides legal services in Kincumber, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Elder Law & Aged Care and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreElder Law & Aged Care · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Understand the next step
A practical guide to contested wills & family provision
What to discuss at the first meeting
Tell the lawyer whether the concern is about the validity of a will, provision for a person or the administration of an estate. These questions can require different evidence and legal steps.
Do not assume that disagreeing with an inheritance is enough to establish a claim; ask for an assessment of the actual grounds and costs.
How the engagement may progress
01
List family members, property, debts, companies, trusts and superannuation. Identify where original documents are held and which assets are jointly owned.
02
Ask what each document or application would achieve. Confirm which state rules and asset-ownership arrangements need to be considered.
03
Agree on signing, storage and future reviews, or on the executor’s responsibilities for records and distributions. Identify changes that should prompt further advice.
Fees and the scope of work
Compare a simple-will quote with more involved planning or estate administration. Ask about searches, applications, valuations and coordination with an accountant.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Provide the date of death and any estate correspondence promptly. Ask about relevant deadlines before distributing assets, signing a release or assuming a dispute can wait.
Questions to ask a contested wills & family provision adviser
Which type of issue do these facts raise?
What time limit and evidence should be addressed first?
Does the scope address assets outside my own name?
Who is the client if relatives attend together?
What information is needed before documents can be finalised?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Who can contest a will?
Spouses, children and some others, depending on the state. Some states allow claims by people who were dependent on the deceased.
What does it cost?
Costs vary widely. In some cases the court orders costs to be paid from the estate, but this is not guaranteed.
How much does a will cost?
Many firms offer simple wills for a fixed fee. Wills involving trusts, blended families, business interests or overseas assets cost more because they need more planning.
Can I contest a will?
Close family members, and some others who depended on the person who died, can apply for a greater share if they were not adequately provided for. Strict time limits apply, often within months of the death, and they differ between states.
