A Will Can Be Challenged. It Can Also Be Defended.

Not Every Will Reflects the Person’s True Wishes

When the Document Does Not Match the Person.

Most wills are valid and stand without question. But sometimes a will does not reflect the true wishes of the person who signed it, perhaps because they were pressured, were not of sound mind, were deceived, or because the document was not executed properly under Virginia law.

Virginia allows such a will to be challenged on grounds like undue influence, lack of capacity, fraud, or improper execution. These contests are emotionally charged, fact-intensive, and bound by strict deadlines, so acting quickly and building the evidence matters enormously.

We handle both sides of will contests, bringing a challenge where a will does not reflect the truth, and defending a valid will against an unfounded attack, always grounded in the facts and the legal standard.

Where We Come In

• ✓ You believe a will was the product of undue influence
• ✓ You doubt the signer had mental capacity
• ✓ You suspect fraud or a forged will
• ✓ The will may not have been signed properly
• ✓ You are an executor defending a valid will
• ✓ You were unfairly cut out or a will seems wrong

Undue Influence

Challenge a will shaped by improper pressure.

Lack of Capacity

Question whether the signer was of sound mind.

Fraud & Forgery

Address wills procured by deception or forged.

Improper Execution

Challenge a will not signed or witnessed correctly.

Defending a Will

Protect a valid will against an unfounded attack.

Evidence Building

Gather the proof these fact-driven cases require.

Listen

We start with your loss, the estate, and where things stand. We learn what you are facing.

Map the Steps

We lay out the filings, deadlines, and decisions ahead, so nothing catches you off guard.

File & Administer

We prepare court filings, inventories, and accountings, and handle the details correctly.

Stand By You

We stay with you through creditor claims, any disputes, and final distribution.

“Will contests are some of the most painful cases in this practice, because they are usually family against family, often right after a death. But sometimes a contest is absolutely warranted, when an isolated, ailing parent suddenly signs a new will favoring the one person who controlled access to them, that is the classic shape of undue influence. Other times a contest is an unfounded attack on a perfectly valid will. My job is to look hard at the facts, tell you honestly whether the grounds are there, and then either challenge the document or defend it with everything the evidence supports.”

Background on Virginia Wills and Estate Planning

More on how valid Virginia wills are made, and what happens to an estate when no valid will controls.