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
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(102)Google rating from 102 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. 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.6 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese, arabic, greek, italian, spanish
★★★★★★★★★★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 Darwin City, NT. 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
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(90)Google rating from 90 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Toowoomba City, 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
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Rockhampton City, 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 feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Voumard Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Personal Injury · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Parenting & Child CustodyNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bevan & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Queanbeyan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Drink & Drug Driving · Probate & Estate AdministrationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bickell & Mackenzie provides legal services in Redland Bay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Commercial Property & Leasing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(64)Google rating from 64 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Evans Family Lawyers provides legal services in Bowral, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Personal Injury and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 morePersonal Injury · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(55)Google rating from 55 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Craigieburn, 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
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooks Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wakerley Legal provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Elder Law & Aged Care · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Business Lawyers & Advisers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers provides legal services in Hamilton Hill, WA. 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.6 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Asquith Legal provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 morePlanning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: german
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mitchells Solicitors provides legal services in Moorooka, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Searson Shannon & Co. Pty Ltd provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ROC Legal provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Contested Wills & Family Provision and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreContested Wills & Family Provision · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Public Liability · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
NS Lawyers provides legal services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Davis Faulkner & Co provides legal services in Boorowa, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contested Wills & Family Provision
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Notary Public & JP Services and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Property & Conveyancing · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law · Elder Law & Aged Care
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Mount Druitt, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
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.
