Inheritance disputes

Invalidation of a will or inheritance agreement

Invalidation of a will or inheritance agreement is a legal procedure aimed at protecting the rights of heirs in court in cases where legal requirements have been violated, the true intent of the testator has not been respected, or there are grounds that call into question the legality of such a transaction.

We provide comprehensive support at all stages:

  • Preparation of legal documents

    A lawyer thoroughly reviews the will or inheritance agreement, title documents, medical certificates, evidence of the testator’s intent, and other relevant materials. Their relevance, admissibility, and sufficiency are assessed to substantiate the grounds for invalidity.

  • Legal analysis of documents

    A thorough legal analysis is conducted taking into account the provisions of inheritance and civil law, relevant case law, and the specific circumstances of the case. The lawyer determines the existing grounds for invalidating the will or inheritance agreement and develops a legal position.

  • Support in filing claims

    The lawyer prepares and files statements of claim, motions, and evidence with the court, monitors compliance with procedural deadlines, represents the client’s interests during the proceedings, and interacts with other participants in the case.

  • Protection of interests after the proceedings

    Following the court’s decision, the lawyer advises on further actions, ensures oversight of the enforcement of the judgment, and, where necessary, prepares appeals or cassation complaints and provides ongoing legal support to the client.

Invalidation of a will or inheritance agreement in Kharkiv is a legally complex process that requires strict compliance with civil and inheritance law, careful analysis of evidence, and a properly chosen legal strategy. Without professional legal support, even serious violations in the execution of a will or conclusion of an inheritance agreement — including doubts as to the testator’s legal capacity, pressure, fraud, or failure to comply with the required form — may remain without proper legal assessment and lead to adverse consequences for the heirs.

By engaging our law firm in Kharkiv, you receive comprehensive legal support in cases involving the invalidation of a will or inheritance agreement at every stage. We analyze the circumstances of the case, review the content and form of inheritance documents, collect and prepare evidence, develop a well-grounded legal position, prepare claim materials, and represent the client’s interests in court.

We have substantial experience in handling inheritance disputes in Kharkiv and fully understand how important such cases are for the protection of property and personal rights. Each case is handled individually, taking into account the specific circumstances, judicial practice, and the client’s interests. Our goal is to achieve legal certainty, a fair outcome, and the client’s confidence in the effectiveness of the chosen legal strategy.

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Our cases

Inheritance case

Enquiry:

Following the testator’s death, the estate (property and cars) was divided between the two children and the ex-wife. She quickly secured half of the inheritance through the courts without the involvement of the other heirs.

What we do:

  • They appealed and succeeded in having the unlawful court ruling overturned.
  • A new trial was prepared and conducted with full regard for the rights of children.
  • The ex-wife was disinherited.
  • We arranged for the division of assets among the children out of court.

Result:

The estate has been divided fairly among the testator’s children; the former wife’s rights have been excluded.

Inheritance case

Enquiry:

The client is the mother of a girl whose father she had been in a civil partnership with before they separated; he was not listed as the child’s father on her birth certificate. The child’s father died shortly after the relationship with the client ended. Following this, his father (the girl’s grandfather) died and left behind a flat. The client’s child could have become the sole heir to the deceased grandfather and inherited the flat, had paternity with the deceased father been officially established.

What we do:

  • No state forensic institution had the equipment to carry out a paternity test to establish the girl’s relationship to her deceased father—and, consequently, her grandfather—without the physical presence of the child’s deceased father for the collection of samples. A private expert institution was found, and arrangements were made with the court for it to carry out the test using samples taken from the mother of the child’s deceased father (the girl’s grandmother).

Result:

Paternity was established by a court order, and the child inherited the flat from his grandfather.

Inheritance case

Enquiry:

The client missed the six-month deadline for accepting the inheritance following his mother’s death and was consequently denied the inheritance. There were no valid reasons for missing the deadline for accepting the inheritance within the meaning of current legislation and judicial practice. The opposing party in court was the local authority, which was seeking to claim the unclaimed inheritance (for which no heirs had come forward within the time limit set by law).

What we do:

  • Since extending the inheritance deadline was a very risky strategy, they decided to prove in court that he had been living with his mother at the time of her death for a certain period, which was also extremely difficult,
  • The client’s brother and sister, who lived abroad and had also declined to accept their late mother’s inheritance, were brought into the case; as parties to the proceedings, they admitted the claim,
  • Neighbours from the flat where the client lived with his late mother—which was extremely difficult given the war situation—were contacted; they confirmed that they had lived together for a certain period,
  • All available documentary evidence was gathered to prove that the client was living with his mother at the time of her death.

Result:

The court established that they were living together, and the client inherited the flat from his late mother.

Case concerning the termination of a life maintenance agreement

Enquiry:

The client is an elderly woman who, due to serious illnesses and poor health, is unable to manage her daily needs on her own, so she entered into a life-long care agreement with a neighbouring family whom she had known for a long time and who promised to look after her well, help her with everything, and do whatever she needed in exchange for the house after her death. The client entered into a notarised agreement with her neighbours. After that, the ‘carers’ disappeared, and then the hostilities began.

What we do:

  • A lawsuit was filed in court to terminate the life maintenance agreement; the defendants categorically denied the claims and hired several lawyers,
  • Witnesses were interviewed, including those who actually help the elderly woman and take her to hospital.

Result:

The court case was won, the contract was terminated, and the grandmother signed a new contract.

Case concerning the termination of an inheritance agreement

Enquiry:

The client is an elderly man with very poor eyesight who requires constant assistance. A neighbour, who moved into the block of flats during the war, persuaded him to sign an inheritance agreement under the guise of a power of attorney.

What we do:

  • A lawsuit was filed to terminate the inheritance agreement; the defendant contested the claim, submitted voluminous written statements, and claimed that she had provided services before temporarily relocating to another city due to the hostilities.
  • Witnesses were summoned and questioned, and written evidence was gathered and added to the case file.

Result:

The court upheld the claim, and the inheritance agreement was terminated.