Last Updated on 14th April 2026
We look at the frequently asked question, ‘What is a caveat in relation to an inheritance dispute?’
You will see lots of references on this website to caveats. There are articles on how to enter a caveat, and how to remove a caveat, but what actually is a caveat in the context of an inheritance dispute?
In an inheritance dispute, a caveat is a legal instrument that is used to prevent the distribution of an estate or to delay a grant of probate being obtained.
When someone believes they have a valid claim to a share of an estate but is concerned that the Will is invalid (or that the executor may distribute the assets before their claim is resolved) they can lodge a caveat with the probate registry or court.
Lodging a caveat essentially notifies the authorities that there is a dispute (or a potential legal claim) regarding the estate and prevents a grant of probate from being issued. It stops the personal representatives from concluding the administration of an estate or undertaking distributions while it remains in place.
The caveat will remain valid for six months, though it can be extended. This allows the person who lodged it, known as the ‘caveator’, time to resolve the dispute or start legal proceedings.
If a caveator fails to pursue their case, or if it is considered that their case has no legal foundation, then steps can be taken to remove the caveat in order to allow the estate administration to proceed. This can be done by issuing a ‘Warning’. The caveator then has the option to respond by entering an ‘Appearance’. You can read more about this in our separate article on caveats, warnings and appearances.
If you need expert legal guidance on applying for or removing a caveat, then our specialist five star rated*, Legal 500 recommended team of SRA regulated solicitors is here to help.