Can a beneficiary sue a solicitor for a negligently drafted will?
Our large team of Legal 500 recommended lawyers work exclusively in this specialist field. So if you are looking for expert advice on a negligently drafted will, then contact us for a free consultation.
A beneficiary can sue a solicitor for negligence if they have lost out as a result of a will being badly prepared.
We specialise in making professional negligence claims, including claims against solicitors for a negligently drafted will. Because we specialise in both inheritance law and professional negligence law, we have the expertise to give you the best chance of recovering compensation for your losses.
It is important to remember that a solicitor (or any non-qualified will writer for that matter) owes a duty of care not just to the person making the will, but to potential beneficiaries under the will too.
The extension of this duty of care to intended beneficiaries has been established in a series of cases which include:
Common causes of solicitors negligence claims are:
- Failure to ensure that a will is validly signed and witnessed;
- Failure to ensure that a will is prepared in a timely fashion before the will-maker dies;
- Failure to check a will for clerical drafting errors that could invalidate part or all of the will; and
- Failure to administer the estate properly.
How we can help with negligently drafted wills
We have a five-star rating on ReviewSolicitors, the independent legal review website, are recommended by the Legal 500 (often referred to as the ‘Michelin Guide to the legal sector’), and were Highly Commended in the category of Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year (Large) at the prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards 2026.
We are often able to deal with solicitor’s negligence cases involving negligently drafted wills and negligently administered estates under our No Win – No Fee case funding scheme.
For further details on making a negligence claim against a solicitor, read our articles, Can a beneficiary sue a solicitor for negligence and What can I do if a solicitor makes a mistake when preparing a will?
You will also find a great deal more information about taking legal action for a negligently drafted will on our sister website www.negligentwillclaims.co.uk