No Win, No Fee — for eligible contested estates in NSW
If you're considering an inheritance dispute or family provision claim in NSW, we offer No Win, No Fee arrangements for eligible contested estates — so cost doesn't stand between you and getting fair advice.
What does No Win, No Fee actually mean?
A No Win, No Fee arrangement — also called a conditional costs agreement — means you don't pay our professional legal fees unless your claim succeeds. If we accept your matter on this basis, you can pursue your inheritance dispute or family provision claim without the financial pressure of paying ongoing legal bills.
At Simons George Legal, we offer No Win, No Fee arrangements to eligible clients pursuing contested estate matters in NSW — including family provision claims, will challenges, and inheritance disputes. We assess the merits of every matter individually before offering this arrangement, because we won't take on a claim we don't genuinely believe has reasonable prospects of success.
Who is eligible for No Win, No Fee?
Under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), the following people may be eligible to make a family provision claim against an estate. If you fall into one of these categories, you may also be eligible for a No Win, No Fee arrangement with us, subject to assessment.
How our No Win, No Fee process works
We've designed our process to be transparent and stress-free. There's no obligation at any stage before you sign a costs agreement.
Free initial assessment
Call us on 1300 344 960. We'll listen to your situation, review the key facts, and tell you honestly whether your claim has reasonable prospects.
Written costs agreement
If we offer to act on a No Win, No Fee basis, we'll provide a written costs agreement setting out exactly how fees will work — before any work begins.
We pursue your claim
We handle negotiation, mediation, and Supreme Court proceedings if needed. You pay our professional fees only if your claim succeeds.
What's covered — and what isn't
We believe in being upfront about costs. Here's exactly what a No Win, No Fee arrangement with us covers.
| Cost type | Covered by No Win, No Fee? |
|---|---|
| Our professional legal fees | Yes — payable only if your claim succeeds |
| Initial assessment of your matter | Yes — free, with no obligation |
| Court filing fees | No — disbursements remain payable |
| Barrister's fees (if briefed) | No — disbursements remain payable |
| Expert reports & medical certificates | No — disbursements remain payable |
| Success uplift fee (if applicable) | Up to 25% uplift on professional fees may apply — disclosed in writing in your costs agreement before you sign |
| Other party's costs (if claim fails) | Subject to your written costs agreement |
Frequently asked questions
Will I have to pay anything if my claim is unsuccessful?
Under a No Win, No Fee arrangement, you won't pay our professional legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. However, you may still need to pay disbursements (court filing fees, barrister's fees, expert reports) and, in some cases, the other party's costs. The exact terms are set out clearly in your written costs agreement before any work begins.
How is the fee paid if my claim succeeds?
If your claim succeeds, our professional fees are typically paid from the estate or from the settlement amount you receive. The amount is calculated based on the work performed and is set out in your costs agreement — you'll know exactly how it works before you sign.
Is there an uplift fee if my claim succeeds?
In some No Win, No Fee matters, an uplift fee may apply if your claim succeeds. This is a percentage added to our professional fees that reflects the financial risk we take in acting without payment unless you win.
Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW), any uplift fee is capped at 25% of our professional fees and must be set out in writing in your costs agreement before any work begins. We'll explain whether an uplift applies to your matter — and exactly how it's calculated — at your free initial assessment, so there are no surprises.
What is the time limit to make a family provision claim in NSW?
You must file a family provision claim with the Supreme Court of NSW within 12 months of the date of death. There are limited circumstances in which the Court may extend this deadline, but you should not rely on this — contact us as soon as possible to protect your position.
Does No Win, No Fee apply to all types of estate disputes?
No. We offer No Win, No Fee for eligible family provision claims and certain inheritance disputes. It generally doesn't apply to challenging the validity of a will on grounds of fraud, undue influence, or capacity — those matters require a different fee structure. We'll tell you which arrangement applies during your initial assessment.
Do I need to come to your Bondi Junction office?
No. We act for clients across Sydney, NSW, and remotely throughout Australia. Initial assessments can be conducted by phone or video, and we use secure digital document signing where appropriate. If you'd prefer to meet in person, you're always welcome at our Bondi Junction office.
How long does a family provision claim take?
Most family provision claims in NSW resolve through mediation within 6–12 months of being filed. Matters that proceed to a final Supreme Court hearing can take 18–24 months. We'll give you a realistic timeline during your initial assessment based on the specifics of your matter.
Why do you assess the merits before offering No Win, No Fee?
Because we genuinely back our clients. A No Win, No Fee arrangement means we share the risk — so we only take on matters we believe have reasonable prospects of success. If your matter doesn't fit, we'll tell you honestly and explain other options, rather than taking your case and your money.
How do I get started?
Call us on 1300 344 960 or request a free assessment online. Principal George Paltos personally reviews every No Win, No Fee enquiry — there's no obligation, and the call is genuinely free.
Speak to George Paltos today
A free, no-obligation assessment of your inheritance dispute or family provision claim. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a case — and if you do, how we can help.
Call 1300 344 960