Seattle Will Contest Attorneys

Need Help with Will Disputes in Seattle? Call Us at (206) 855-6420

If you need legal advice about your rights under a will in probate, or if you are the executor responsible for defending the terms of a will against a legal challenge, it can be beneficial to work with a lawyer whose practice focuses on trust and estate litigation.

Understanding Will Contests in Washington State

Strictly speaking, a will contest is a lawsuit over the validity of a last will and testament. Is the instrument in probate genuine? Did the deceased have the legal capacity to execute a valid will, or was he or she legally incompetent, under the undue influence of another, or under an insane delusion? No matter which side of a potential will contest you might be on, you should be aware that these actions present special challenges, especially for the side seeking the invalidation of the will.

A will contest must be commenced within four months of the beginning of probate. Additionally, the party seeking invalidation of the will carries a heavy burden of proof. A party seeking to invalidate a will must present clear, cogent and convincing evidence in order to invalidate the will. This is a more difficult standard of proof to meet than the standard that applies in most civil actions.

Expert Guidance on Settling Will Disputes in Seattle

Our attorneys also advise and represent people involved in disputes about other aspects of a will. These disputes might include the correct interpretation of a will's provisions, the status of a beneficiary, or the rights of a statutory heir who has been excluded from the will.

At Ridgway Law Group, P.S., our concentration on estate and trust litigation means that we can evaluate your claim or defense quickly and reliably. We can provide recommendations of how to proceed given your specific situation and are ready to take immediate action on your case.