Last Updated on 15th April 2026
What can you do if your husband cuts you out of his will?
We specialise in inheritance disputes, dealing with cases nationwide. If you have been left out of a will, then call our free legal helpline and speak to a Legal 500 recommended lawyer on 0333 888 0407 or email info@inheritancedisputes.co.uk
We look at a question frequently asked by widowed wives: “Can my husband leave me out of his will?”
In England and Wales, the law respects the principle of ‘testamentary freedom’. This basically means we are all free to make a will leaving our property to whoever we want. However, although we all have this freedom in theory, in practice the law will step in to prevent injustice.
The law offers particular protection to spouses, so if a husband cuts his wife out of his will, or vice versa, then they may be able to pursue a legal challenge.
Most married couples leave their estates to each other. This generally ensures that the survivor is not left suffering financial hardship as a result of their husband or wife passing away. But there are occasions where a spouse is left out of a will, and when this occurs it is worth speaking to specialist inheritance solicitors about making a spousal claim under the Inheritance Act.
“Can my husband leave me nothing?”
Under the Inheritance Act a spouse who does not receive adequate financial provision under the will of their late husband or wife is entitled to make a claim. The Act gives the courts the power to rewrite the deceased’s will and award the surviving spouse money and assets that had been left to others.
The amount of financial provision varies from case to case and depends upon the individual circumstances. The court will take into consideration a range of factors, including the size of the estate and the finances of the surviving spouse.
It is therefore important to have your own situation assessed by a lawyer who is experienced in dealing with these cases and will be able to advise you on the appropriate level of financial provision you are entitled to receive.
We deal with Inheritance Act claims on behalf of wives and husbands who have been left with nothing (or very little) on a No Win, No Fee basis. We can also assist those who were cohabiting but were not married.
We are proud of our track record of success in dealing with these claims, and elsewhere on this website you can read real-life studies of some cases we have won, including:
- Wife wins her Inheritance Act claim
- Husband’s successful Inheritance Act claim
- Widow makes successful claim against late husband’s estate
- Claim against partner’s estate
We offer free consultations
Contact us for a free consultation with one of our specialist SRA regulated inheritance dispute solicitors. They will assess your case free of charge and offer guidance on the best options open to you.
They will also review your funding options, including the availability of No Win, No Fee.