Losing a loved one is hard enough. Discovering you’ve been left out of their will, or left with far less than you expected, adds a second layer of grief that’s harder to talk about. If you’re thinking about contesting a will, the lawyer you choose will shape almost everything that follows — how long the process takes, how much it costs, and whether your family relationships survive it. Yet most people have never needed a contesting a will lawyer before and have no idea what separates a good one from an average one.
This guide walks through what actually matters when choosing legal representation for a will dispute in Perth, the questions worth asking before you sign anything, and three Perth firms currently active in this space.
What Makes a Good Contesting a Will Lawyer?
Not every law firm that lists “wills and estates” on their website has real experience in contested matters. Drafting a will and fighting over one are different skill sets entirely.
Look for:
- Genuine specialisation. A lawyer who runs will disputes regularly will know how WA courts tend to view different types of claims, and where the pitfalls are.
- Straight talk about your chances. A good lawyer will tell you early if your claim is weak, not string you along.
- Clear fee arrangements. Contested estate matters can run for months. You should know upfront whether you’re looking at hourly billing, a fixed fee, or a no-win-no-fee arrangement, and what happens if the matter settles versus goes to trial.
- Plain English. If every conversation leaves you more confused than before, that’s a problem — especially at a time when you’re already stretched thin emotionally.
- A track record of settling, not just litigating. Most will disputes resolve through negotiation or mediation rather than a courtroom. A lawyer who pushes everything to trial isn’t necessarily doing you a favour.
Questions to Ask Before You Engage a Will Dispute Lawyer
Before committing to a firm, it’s worth asking directly:
- Do you handle will disputes regularly, or occasionally alongside other work?
- What are my realistic chances based on what I’ve told you?
- How are your fees structured, and what would a typical matter like mine cost from start to finish?
- How long do matters like mine usually take?
- Will I be dealing with you directly, or handed off to someone more junior?
- How do you keep clients updated as the matter progresses?
A firm confident in its process will answer all of these without hesitation.
Understanding the WA Legal Framework
Western Australia has its own legislation governing will disputes, and it differs from the eastern states in some important ways. Contesting a will in WA is generally done through a family provision claim under the Family Provision Act 1972 (WA), heard in the Supreme Court of WA. There’s typically a six-month window from the date probate is granted (or an administrator is appointed) to lodge a claim, though courts can extend this in certain circumstances.
(Note: legislative details and time limits can change, and every estate is different — always confirm current requirements with a qualified lawyer before relying on any of the above.)
Because the legislation and court approach are WA-specific, it’s worth confirming any lawyer you’re considering actually practises in the WA jurisdiction, rather than applying experience from another state.
Three Perth Firms Worth Knowing
Perth has a small number of firms that handle will disputes as a genuine specialisation, rather than as one service among many. Here are three currently active in the space, each with a different approach.
Solomon Hollett Lawyers is a Perth-based firm focused specifically on inheritance and commercial law wills, estates, and the disputes that arise from them. Their approach centres on combining technical expertise in this niche area with a calmer, more human style of communication, aimed at helping clients feel guided rather than overwhelmed during what’s often an emotional and unfamiliar process. If you’re looking into a contesting a will lawyer in Perth, their focus on this exact area of law is worth factoring in.
Maurice Blackburn is a large national firm with offices across Australia, including Perth, best known for personal injury and class action work. Their will dispute team operates on a no-win-no-fee basis and handles matters including family provision claims, disputes over testamentary capacity, and claims involving undue influence. Their scale means significant resources behind a claim, though as a large national firm, will disputes sit alongside many other practice areas rather than being the sole focus.
CWPL (Contested Wills and Probate Lawyers), the firm behind willdisputes.com.au, is a boutique practice specialising specifically in estate litigation, with offices spanning Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. As a smaller, dispute-focused firm, they position themselves around deep familiarity with contested estate matters specifically, rather than broader legal services.
Making Your Decision
There’s no single “best” firm for every situation — the right choice depends on the size and complexity of the estate, how contested the matter is likely to become, whether you want a boutique or national firm, and how you prefer to be communicated with. What matters more than the firm’s size or reputation is whether they specialise in this exact area, are upfront about your chances and costs, and communicate in a way that helps rather than confuses you.
Before signing with anyone, it’s worth having an initial conversation with at least two firms. Most offer an obligation-free first consultation, and the difference in how clearly they explain your situation is often the clearest signal of how the rest of the process will go.
Final Thoughts
Contesting a will is rarely just a legal exercise — it’s personal, it’s emotional, and it often involves relationships that matter to you well beyond the outcome of the estate. Choosing a lawyer who understands both the legal technicalities and the human weight of what you’re going through will make the process considerably more manageable. Take the time to ask the right questions upfront, and you’ll be in a far stronger position, however the matter unfolds.
