A valid Will can still be challenged. Under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, spouses, civil partners, former spouses who haven’t remarried, children, stepchildren, dependants, and cohabitees of two years or more can claim the Will (or intestacy) failed to provide for them reasonably. Claims must generally be brought within six months of the grant of probate. Spouses get a generous “reasonable provision” standard; everyone else is limited to a narrower “maintenance” standard. Separately, Wills can be attacked over capacity, undue influence, lack of knowledge and approval, or improper execution. Blended families and unmarried partners face the highest risk of disputes. The best protection is solicitor-supervised drafting, a documented letter of wishes, capacity evidence where relevant, and regular reviews after major life events, not a template Will and hope.
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