Blog & Resources

How important is it to choose a Philadelphia Will Contest Attorney whose only focus is estate litigation? Naturally; never trust a complex will contest to a part-time practitioner. That is to say, such cases require specific experience in a particular court. In other words, a “Philadelphia Will Contest Attorney” cannot exist without years of experience. Indeed, contesting wills in the Orphans’ Court is learned over time. As an illustration, with over 20 years of experience, even someone like myself learns more each day.

Any number of reasons may cause a contest. Sometimes a will contest stems from the deceased’s discomfort with death and taxes, so issues that should have been addressed during lifetime are left unresolved and can only be settled in the Surrogate’s Court. Some Will contests are due to bad drafting by attorneys not trained and experienced in wills, trusts and estate planning. Sometimes dishonest actions by dishonest people cause will contests. As veteran Will Contest Attorneys we get to see the good, the bad and the ugly side of people. From Sussex County in the North, to Cape May County in the south, greed will often raise its ugly head when a person with assets is in a weakened state and susceptible to undue influence.

The parties to a will contest may vary. Our will contest lawyers have represented heirs, descendants, family members who were excluded or received reduced amounts in the Will and charities or other non-profits who the deceased promised a share of the estate. If charities are involved, the attorney general may also become a party to the contest.