Disputes involving wills and estates are increasingly common. No-one likes to get involved in disputes, but if you are, it pays to be fully informed of your legal position and options to enable you to make better decisions.
Property ownership has become more widespread, and the value of estates has tended to increase, while family relationships are increasingly complicated. Combined, these factors mean disputes over wills and estates affect more and more people.
Our specialist Inheritance and Trust Disputes Team regularly advises on:
challenges to the validity of a will or codicil
claims for financial provision from an estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
farming succession disputes
claims under the doctrine of proprietary estoppel
disputes over the administration of an estate or a trust
claims against executors or trustees for breach of their duties
estate and trust disputes involving foreign assets
financial abuse claims
disputes in the Court of Protection over powers of attorney or the activities of attorneys
claims for relief from forfeiture
disputes between unmarried partners on relationship breakdown or death.
Why us?
Unlike many general disputes teams, who advise intermittently on will, estate and trust disputes, our highly experienced Inheritance and Trust Disputes team specialises solely on this aspect of law. We therefore have the depth of knowledge and expertise to give you the best possible advice.
Our Inheritance and Trust Disputes team is highly ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide. Legal 500 is one of the leading independent guides to legal firms, and ranks Stephens Scown highly for contentious trust and probate matters. So you know you’ll have proven expertise on your side to help achieve a successful outcome.
Our team has been in the press following successful outcomes in the following important cases:
Our legal advisers can discuss the claims available to you, together with your options and their suggested next steps to bring your matter to a swift conclusion.
Finding sensitive solutions to your dispute
We fully understand that disputes over estates and inheritance can be distressing. They often involve close family and friends, so there’s an emotional angle as well as a legal and practical one. With that in mind, we encourage parties to negotiate an amicable outcome wherever possible, thereby avoiding any lasting damage to their relationships.
