Inheritance Disputes

Inevitably there will be occasions when inheritance matters become complex and/or contentious. This is particularly the case in Jersey where there are a number of forced heirship rights that apply to the estate of a deceased person’s movable estate.

Our lawyers have dealt with a number of high-profile inheritance disputes. In particular cases where the following issues have arisen:

• Capacity matters – the deceased has made a will, but it is questionable whether he or she had the mental capacity to deal with their property at the time it was made.
• Estates where gifts or transfers of movable estate have been made pre-death, for the benefit of heirs of the deceased, which are later called into question.
• Duress and undue influence – where duress or undue influence was placed on the deceased to favour certain people in their will who would not otherwise have expected to inherit so much.
• Professional negligence – inadequate or incorrect advice has been given in relation to lifetime gifts and wills which has resulted in those who would have otherwise inherited losing out.