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
Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
TPIL Lawyers provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gramelis Attorneys provides legal services in Bondi Junction, 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
Kiama, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lewis & Mckinnon Solicitors provides legal services in Kiama, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Buying or Selling a Business and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Wills & Estates+5 moreBuying or Selling a Business · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Baulkham Hills, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Property Conveyancers provides legal services in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Laidley, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mark Stone Solicitors provides legal services in Laidley, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Firearms & Licensing Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Roe Mackenzie Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Strata & Body Corporate · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Notary Public & JP Services
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Roseville Legal Services provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Probate & Estate Administration · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tasdemir Lawyers, Port Macquarie provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Tax Law · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marc William Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreWills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Insolvency & Restructuring · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family ProvisionNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cairns Wills & Estates Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Contested Wills & Family ProvisionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Empower Will Contest Lawyers provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Contested Wills & Family Provision, Probate & Estate Administration and Wills & Estates.
Contested Wills & Family Provision+4 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionNo 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
Mogo, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Mogo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mark Stone Solicitors provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Criminal Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Traffic Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moruya, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McMahon Vincent Lawyers provides legal services in Moruya, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sanctuary Point, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Sanctuary Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Manly Vale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McGowan Lawyers provides legal services in Manly Vale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Contested Wills & Family Provision and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+7 moreContested Wills & Family Provision · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Smith Family Law Sunshine provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Mark Stocks Lawyers provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Family Property Settlement · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Child Protection & Care Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Milton, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Milton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosnells, WA · Perth East
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Biddulph & Turley provides legal services in Gosnells, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Elizabeth Wiese & Associates provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and De Facto Relationships.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Parenting & Child Custody
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Monaco Compensation Lawyers Noosaville provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, TPD & Superannuation Claims and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Workers Compensation+7 moreTPD & Superannuation Claims · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Personal Injury · Public Liability · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Medical Negligence · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionNo 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
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
