The Next Steps: Getting Legal Advice

Inheritance disputes are complex, and vary widely from case to case. Individual cases will always require assessment by experienced legal professionals to determine whether an inheritance claim can be made, and the likelihood of it succeeding.

If you decide to proceed with a legal challenge, you will need professional legal representation.

Why pick IDR Law?

We are the UK’s only firm that specialises solely in the resolution of inheritance disputes. Its all we do.

With over 100 years of combined experience resolving inheritance disputes, we know how these situations work, and we know the best way to get the resolution you need.

On completion of the Claim Checker form, your details will be sent directly through to our expert triage team, who will assess your situation free of charge and advise on the best course of action.

You will be in safe hands.

Knowing what you can or can’t do is the start of the resolution process.

We pride ourselves on being trustworthy and transparent throughout any legal action, and provide our clients with all the information and expertise they need to make the best decisions.

Guide to the enquiry process

Step one:

• We offer a free consultation and assessment of your situation, with a full expert analysis of the facts, before we proceed with any legal action
• We offer a free consultation and assessment of your situation, with a full expert analysis of the facts before we proceed with any legal action.
• On completion of the form your details will be sent straight through to our triage team who will assess your circumstances free of charge and contact you with advice on the best course of action for your situation.

Alternatively you can call IDR directly on 0330 175 9912.

Free of charge:

1 – Initial contact and fact find

2 – Consider the best options based on your circumstances

3 – Advise on best course of action

There is no obligation to proceed with any legal action following your consultation. We understand the sensitive nature of family disputes, and only recommend proceeding if it is the right thing for you.

Step Two: Hiring our services

• If you do decide to proceed with a legal dispute, we will support you and keep you fully informed every step of the way. We offer complete transparency at every stage, and we only proceed with legal action if we are confident of a successful outcome.
• The first steps are agreeing on an appropriate course of action, outlining the costs, establishing which funding options are applicable, and signing an agreement to proceed.
• Legal representation varies from case to case based on the circumstances, but typically begins with gathering evidence and/or communicating with other parties. From this point, we will keep you informed at every step of the way, and involve you in all decisions throughout the legal process.
• When pursuing action through the courts, costs can quickly add up, so we firmly believe in resolving disputes through mediation. 99% of our case are resolved out of court.

Funding options:

Legal costs and funding legal action can be a significant concern for people facing inheritance disputes. There are a range of funding options available depending on the circumstances of your situation.

We believe in taking a responsible approach to pursuing legal action, and these options are offered based on careful assessment of your case. We do not proceed with legal action unless we are confident the financial gain is worth the legal costs.

Deferred payment:

What is a deferred payment?

• With deferred payment, you are not invoiced until a pre-defined point in your case.
• For example, when settlement is reached or a court order has been obtained.
• Once the pre-defined point has been reached, we will have a much clearer idea of the likelihood of success, and the size of any potential financial settlement or award.

No win, no fee:

• We consider this approach where there are no viable alternatives for our client and the case is appropriate.
• We do not proceed with legal action unless we are confident the financial gain is worth the legal costs, and as such, this option is only offered if there is a high likelihood of a successful outcome that is worth the estimated legal costs

Litigation funding:

• Litigation funding is when the legal costs are covered with a finance agreement.
• Litigation funders will look at the facts of the case, the merits and what a ‘worst case scenario’ might look like.
• If approved, the litigation funder will set a fund or confirm the total amount which can be advanced from your inheritance.

Staying out of court

At IDR we understand the sensitive nature of inheritance disputes, and make every endeavour to reach a resolution through mediation. We firmly believe in establishing the facts and communicating with other parties to reach a resolution, without going through costly and stressful court proceedings.

99% of our cases are resolved without any form of court hearing.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a way of sorting any differences between disputing parties, with the help of a neutral third person who won’t take sides. The third person is called a mediator. They can help you reach an agreement about issues with inheritance.

Mediation provides a private forum in which the disputing parties can better understand each other’s position and then work together with the assistance of the mediator to explore options for settling the dispute.

To avoid costly court hearings, we strongly believe in resolving inheritance disputes through mediation. 99% of our cases are resolved without any form of court hearing.

How does mediation work?

On the day of a mediation, the disputing parties attend with their solicitors and work with the help of the mediator to work towards a negotiated settlement of the dispute.

Traditionally, mediations took place at a law firm, barrister’s chambers, or a neutral venue such as a hotel with meeting rooms. However, since the COVID pandemic, mediations can take place remotely.

Disputing parties typically remain in separate rooms throughout the day, while the mediator will shuttle between the rooms throughout the day with the aim of narrowing the issues in dispute and ultimately guiding the parties towards a binding settlement which they can live with.

You do not have to see the other parties during a mediation, but occasionally parties will ask to meet to perhaps try and rebuild relationships at the end of the day and after a settlement is reached, however this is not compulsory.

Sometimes there will be a “Solicitors only” meeting between Solicitors, if the mediator believes that would assist in reaching a settlement.

Struggling to deal with family disputes?

• Inheritance disputes can be a difficult time for families, with emotions running high following the passing of a family member. People are often grieving, or angry about a situation which they feel is unfair.
• There may be a breakdown of communication between siblings or relatives that is stressful and unwanted, and its important to minimise arguments.
• We understand the sensitive nature of these situations, and strongly recommend speaking to the other parties before taking any legal action. You should make every effort to communicate with your other family members before proceeding.
• If communication attempts have failed and you do decide to proceed with an inheritance challenge, we are highly experienced in handling legal correspondence with care and consideration, so we can reach the best resolution for our clients, while minimising bad feeling among all parties

Testimonials:

“…100%. They were  just brilliant. They were always informative – let me know what was going on as soon as they heard anything. I don’t think I could have gone anywhere any better.”

Elizabeth, recent IDR client.

“I went straight to our solicitor, who recommended IDR Law. They spoke very highly of you, and said you were the best in the business. You wouldn’t take on the case unless you thought you had a very high chance of winning.”

Steve, recent IDR client.