Contentious Probate Solicitors

Successfully defending a Will challenge brought by a claimant against his defendant clients. The claim would have meant the defendants’ losing their home, but we successfully secured the transfer of the property over to our clients through High Court litigation.

Advising a farmer in relation to various disputes arising from the death of his father, including proprietary estoppel claims, partnership disputes and disputes regarding the beneficial ownership of assets.

Defending a testamentary capacity challenge to the final Will of a prominent Midlands businessman who left an estate valued at £6.5-million. The case was widely reported.

Advising the trustees of a trust managing assets valued in excess of £50-million regarding claims by the underlying beneficiaries that had led to deadlock and the removal of the previous trustees. 

Acting for the executors of an estate in relation to a blessing application to sell a piece of development land for £19-million.

Acting for the daughter in a disputed multi-jurisdictional estate. The deceased (born in Italy) had lived in England for over 40 years. His wife alleged that he had adopted England as his domicile of choice and made an Inheritance Act claim against his £1.5 million estate. We obtained witness evidence to show that he had not lost his domicile of origin. The claim was settled favourably at mediation.

Advising a beneficiary of a £1.2 million estate on the construction of the terms of a will whose entitlement is unclear from the wording of the will and representing that beneficiary in pre-action negotiations.

Successfully resisted a £2 million+ unusual mutual wills case, where it was alleged that because of that mutual will, our client held his late wife’s estate on trust for the claimant (a non-family member). Complex company and estate issues arose, given (i) our client’s 100% shareholding in estate companies and the claimant’s position as director in them; and (ii) the fact that our client and the claimant were joint executors of the late wife’s will. A settlement was reached prior to trial whereby a small % of the £2 million was paid, including costs.

Acting for the independent administrator of the England & Wales estate of a notable US businesswoman valued at above £20-million. The estate has a multi-jurisdictional structure with offshore elements. It includes UK and offshore company shares, high-value London real estate and valuable personal possessions including artwork and specialist fashion items. There is an underlying will validity challenge and we are