Lawyers in Buffalo NY / How to Contest a Will

How to Contest a Will

Download Our Free Estate Planning Guide
Are you or a loved questioning the validity of a will? Are you wondering how to contest a will, and what are your chances of winning? Watch this video by Buffalo Estate Planning Attorney Thomas F. Hewner to learn about your legal grounds for contesting a will. If you have questions about challenging a will, please contact us to schedule a consultation. Let our experience work for you.
  • The complexity of the probate process causes many people to ask how they can avoid it.
  • Executing a will at a lawyer’s office ensures that it meets the requirements of a good will. A will must be signed in front of two witnesses by the person making it, and that person must be competent and free of undue influences.
  • Once signed and witnessed, the document purports to be a will, but is designated a valid will only after the surrogate court judge determines that it is valid and appoints the executor in charge.
  • Distributees and/or people who are adversely affected can contest a will. The critical point is to ensure that proper notice is given to all individuals who can contest it based on a few specific grounds.
  • It is very difficult to contest a properly created will where witnesses were present at the signing. Because of that, very few attorney-drawn wills are overturned.
Download Our Free Estate Planning Guide

    Contact Us


    How to Plan for the Care of Pets in Your Will

    When it comes to making arrangements for your loved ones, it’s not just people who [...]

    Top Reasons to Establish a Living Trust in New York

    A living trust is an important tool that can help people in New York manage [...]

    Steps to Take When Contesting a Will in New York

    The process of contesting a will can be a complex and emotionally charged experience, especially [...]