Estate litigation lawyers act in family provision claims and disputes about the validity of a will.
firms
209
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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
Balgowlah Heights, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(57)Google rating from 57 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Shipton & Associates provides legal services in Balgowlah Heights, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Avid Law provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rockhampton City, QLD · Central Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
FOXLAW provides legal services in Rockhampton City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Building & Construction · Buying or Selling a Business
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Yarrabilba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ACS Legal Solutions provides legal services in Yarrabilba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, 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 DismissalNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Smith Family Law Sunshine provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Beverly Hills, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
First Choice Family Lawyers provides legal services in Beverly Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Property & Conveyancing · Skilled & Business Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, 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 ResolutionNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rayners Lawyers provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
R S Stack & Co provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
R S Stack & Co provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lee Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Litigation · Strata & Body Corporate · Personal Injury · Public Liability · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Orman Solicitors provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Palmos Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Debt Recovery.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warrnambool, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maddens Lawyers provides legal services in Warrnambool, VIC. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Class Actions · Agribusiness & Rural LawNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kenney Legal provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Thompson McNichol Lawyers provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bluebells Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, 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 ResolutionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
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.
