By their nature, disputes over Wills, Trusts and Inheritance often occur at times of emotional vulnerability and distress. Bringing or defending such claims is especially demanding and can become acrimonious and fraught very quickly.
Seeking expert legal advice at an early stage to help resolve matters can therefore be crucial and can potentially avoid litigation and costly court proceedings.
Our specialist Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes lawyers have extensive experience in dealing with disputes of this nature and are ranked in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 as experts in this field.
We act for trustees, executors, personal representatives, protectors, beneficiaries, charities and for individuals in a wide range of disputes involving estates, trusts and land.
HOW WE CAN HELP
The work we undertake includes:
- challenges to the validity of wills;
- Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 claims;
- professional negligence claims;
- proprietary estoppel claims;
- breach of trust or breach of duty claims;
- variation of trust applications;
- directions for the administration of trusts;
- blessing applications;
- removal/replacement of executors or trustees;
- fraud and asset tracing (and applying for injunctive relief);
- rectification, mistake and Hastings-Bass applications;
- constructive trust claims;
- Trust of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 claims;
- construction applications.
We often advise on complex and cross-jurisdictional issues, and regularly work alongside other intermediaries based offshore. We have specialist expertise in fraud cases involving trusts and estates, and we work with our top ranked criminal team on cases which involve criminal allegations. We also work closely alongside our leading family team in divorce cases involving trust property.
We are regularly instructed in relation to contentious matters arising in the Court of Protection and are experienced in advising charities in relation to their potential fraud exposure as well as defending charitable legacies and other such related disputes. We also act often in disputes arising in relation to family farms and landed estates.
The circumstances of each case are unique, which necessitates a tailored response to the individual needs of our clients. We employ a wide range of methods to help promote early settlement where it is possible. However, if a resolution cannot be found, we engage in and manage litigation as pro-actively, efficiently and cost effectively as possible to ensure success for our client at trial.
We always give clear advice to our clients about costs and the various options for funding a dispute involving trusts and estates.
For more information, look at our frequently asked questions on wills, trusts and inheritance disputes, and read our Need to Know guides for Trustees and our case studies .