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Probate caveats – Should you be filing a probate caveat?

A probate caveat is a document that can be filed in the Court, which indicates there may be a challenge to the validity of the Will.

Once the probate caveat is filed, the executor or administrator of the estate is prevented from taking any steps in relation to the Will or the estate.

Filing a probate caveat should not be treated lightly. If a probate caveat is filed for the wrong reason, there could be severe cost implications for the person filing it.

Having said that, there are certainly situations which warrant the filing of a probate caveat.

When should filing a probate caveat be considered?

Some of the circumstances which would warrant the filing of a probate caveat, are as follows:

  • Where it is believed that the last Will of the deceased was signed when the deceased did not have capacity.
  • Where it is believed that the deceased may have signed their Will without knowing and approving the contents of their Will. In this case there is normally suspicious circumstances which surround the preparation and signing of the Will. Circumstances that may be considered suspicious include if the deceased has an unexplained change of wishes or if they are disinheriting a beneficiary for no particular reason.
  • Where there may be evidence of fraud in relation to the Will.
  • Where there may be evidence of the deceased having signed their Will being unduly influenced.

What happens once a probate caveat has been filed?

Once a probate caveat has been filed, you will have time to obtain evidence and seek legal advice. Having said that, it is important to start your enquiries promptly.

What further information should be obtained once the probate caveat is in place:

  • Steps should be taken to obtain the medical records of the deceased.
  • A request should be made for the file of the solicitor who prepared the Will.
  • Any previous Wills of the deceased should be obtained.

Probate caveats – what should you do next?

Filing a probate caveat can be a challenging and daunting process. If you are in circumstances where you believe a probate caveat may need to be lodged, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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The information provided in this article is for general information and educative purposes in summary form on legal topics which is current at the time it is published. The content does not constitute legal advice or recommendations and should not be relied upon as such. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, Wills, Estates and Probate Lawyers (WEP Lawyers) cannot accept responsibility for any errors, including those caused by negligence, in the material. We make no representations, statements or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the information and you should not rely on it. You are advised to make your own independent inquiries regarding the accuracy of any information provided on this website. WEP Lawyers does not guarantee, and accepts no legal responsibility whatsoever arising from or in connection to the accuracy, reliability, currency, correctness or completeness of any material contained in this article. Links to third party websites or articles does not constitute any endorsement or approval of those sites or the owners of those sites. Nothing in this article should be construed as granting any licence or right for you to use that content. You should consult the third party’s terms and conditions of use in relation to any third-party content. WEP Lawyers disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including liability for negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way. Appropriate legal advice should always be obtained in actual situations.

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Written by—

Chloe Kopilovic

Call 07 3035 4077 to speak with our team now