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Freeths - Law firm

Probate Application Solicitors

Planning for the future

What is involved?

If someone has passed away, you can rely on our renowned Private Client Services Division to take care of the essentials. Probate, Trusts and Administration of Estates can be highly confusing – especially when there is already a lot to deal with. Whether you need help proving an ambiguous Will, enforcing the practicalities of Estate Administration, or winding up a Trust, our in-depth technical knowledge and experience can give you peace of mind.

We can advise on how to deal with property, business assets, the Inland Revenue or debts. Supported by a range of solicitors from different areas, our combined expertise will help you wind up the estate as efficiently as possible. Our team can also assist with creating Trusts, helping you manage your own wealth effectively.

Pricing Information

Why choose Freeths?

  • Our friendly, experienced lawyers help to relieve stress by supporting you with complex processes
  • A national reputation for offering clear, considered advice to executors, trustees and beneficiaries
  • Experts in Dispute Resolution and Finance on hand to advise on family issues or money matters
  • We demystify the jargon in this highly complicated area of law, leaving you to get on with life

We offer a variety of information guides on Trusts & Estate Administration, including general guides, pricing guides, and notes of what is required. Please get in touch if you would like a copy.

Freeths’ dedicated Probate, Trusts & Administration of Estates team will support you in organising, managing and safeguarding you and your family’s interests.

We can advise you on Gift Applications and Inheritance Tax Planning, Personal Injury Trusts, Personal Tax, Probate, Trusts and Wills. You can rely on us to be honest, sensitive and to explain everything clearly.

By bringing together lawyers with legal, accountancy and tax backgrounds, we offer a full spectrum of services to organise your finances. From preparing trust assets to implementing the terms of a will, we can assist you every step of the way. Our specialist Private Client Dispute Resolution team can also assist with disputes relating to Wills, Trusts and Probate. Whatever your needs, we have a confident grasp of the processes and issues involved.

top tier 2023

Key contacts

Sarah Foster
Managing Partner - Oxford & Joint Head of Private Client Services

0186 578 1055

Mark Keeley

Mark Keeley
Partner & Joint Head of Private Client Services

0345 274 6875

Alternatively complete the form below:

Contact Us

Testimonial

"Sarah Foster heads the firm's private client litigation team in Oxford and advises high net worth clients on contentious trust and probate matters. An interviewee says: "Sarah is extremely good. She provides clear advice, her tax knowledge is excellent and she is really amiable." Another enthuses: "She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in her practice area. She is able to disseminate complex and voluminous information and then deliver advice in a practical and understandable manner. She is also extremely personable."

(Chambers & Partners HNW 2021)

Testimonial

"Sally Goodger acts on a variety of contentious trust and probate matters. A source reports that she is "good at strategic thinking," while a client enthuses: "Sally is very professional. She is especially good at dealing with urgent developments, not just time-wise but competently."

(Chambers & Partners HNW 2021)

Testimonial

"Nigel Roots acts for high net worth individuals on a range of private client matters including estate, trust and tax planning matters. A barrister says: "Nigel is great. He's knowledgeable, personable and really technical. I would thoroughly recommend him."

(Chambers & Partners HNW 2021)

Testimonial

"Jane Maitland is an experienced private client solicitor who advises on all aspects of estate planning and administration. She also advises on Court of Protection matters."

(Chambers & Partners HNW 2021)

Testimonial

"Thank you for all the work over the years; my parents' estates could not have been in better hands."

(Private Client)

Testimonial

"I just wanted to thank you and your team so very much for all of your hard work and support to date. The customer service that I have received from you and your team can only be described as outstanding. You always go the extra mile and it is a real pleasure to deal with you."

(Private Client)

Testimonial

"They have real expertise and always sensible and pragmatic to deal with."

(The Legal 500, 2022)

Testimonial

"The strength of the business appears to rest in its people and the relationships they foster with their clients. It closely reflects the level of trust and rapport we aim for with our own client relationships."

(The Legal 500, 2022)

Testimonial

"Freeths is an established presence in the contentious trusts and probate market. They enjoy a solid reputation and are highly regarded among their peers."

(The Legal 500, 2022)

Notable Work

  • Advising a family in relation to challenges to Wills on grounds of lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence and want of knowledge and approval.
  • Representing a group of intestacy beneficiaries at trial in relation to a claim brought against the estate based upon a nuncupative (oral) Will.
  • Defending the executors of an estate from a claim to have the transfer of a property to their father set aside because of incapacity/undue influence.
  • Acting in a complex Inheritance Act claim for a claimant who was a long term co-habitee of the deceased, where estate assets were tied up in a farming business.
  • Supporting inter-generational family trusts, acting as a trustee and also advising trustees of their responsibilities.
  • Separately pursuing and defending proprietary estoppel claims valued at over £1 million in relation to promises allegedly made in relation to the inheritance of farms.
  • Drafting and administration of Personal Injury Trusts including High Court approved trusts for injured children.
  • Acting for trustees in relation to an application to court to resolve a dispute in the administration of a family trust involving interests in a group of companies and property assets.
  • Acting for a beneficiary of a trust in an action against the trustees for improper investment of the trust fund.
  • Administering estates in which there are difficult relationships, including acting in complex contested estates where a court-appointed independent administrator/judicial trustee has been appointed.

Client service

‘Doing the right thing’ is at the heart of Freeths. Find out more about our excellent client service and the strong set of values that guide the way we work.

Our values

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Talk to us

Freeths are a leading national law firm with 13 offices across the UK. If you have a query about our services or just want to find out more, why not give us a call?

Contact: 03301 001 014

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