Inheritance & Trust Disputes
Inheritance and Trust Disputes (or Contentious Trust and Probate) cover a wide range of litigation matters involving wills, estates, trusts and lifetime transactions.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be a distressing time for family and friends, particularly for those involved in the estate administration or those who have not received something which they expected to inherit.
Where challenges arise over a will, estate or trust, this can add another layer of uncertainty to an emotionally charged situation and, without careful guidance, can become acrimonious and exhausting for both claimants and defendants alike.
Inheritance and Trust disputes are complex and require a unique combination of sensitivity, experience and legal knowledge in order to provide a practical and cost-effective solution when a dispute arises.
Kitsons’ Inheritance & Trust Disputes Team has the experience and specialist knowledge to represent you from the first steps through to trial. Because every claim – like every family – is different, we offer a bespoke service with advice tailored to individual circumstances, guiding you through the process of making or defending a claim step-by-step.
Wherever possible, we aim to reduce the need for protracted and costly litigation by seeking an effective resolution of disputes at an early stage, sometimes before proceedings are issued, by the use of “Alternative Dispute Resolution” such as negotiation and mediation, in which we have had great success.
We act for claimants and defendants, whether they are trustees, executors, personal representatives, beneficiaries or disappointed beneficiaries (those who have not been left what they expected to inherit) and represent private individuals, professionals and organisations such as charities.
We can help you with:
- The Validity of Wills – Claims regarding lack of mental capacity, lack of knowledge and approval, undue influence, fraud and forgery
- Claims Against Estates – Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, Deathbed Gifts, Proprietary Estoppel, Constructive Trust, Mutual Will Claims
- Trust Disputes – Claims for Breach of Trust, Sham Trusts, Removal of Trustees, Construction and Rectification Claims
- Professional Negligence – Claims against professional advisers in relation to wills, trusts, estate planning and administration
- Lifetime Transactions – Misuse of funds, attorney and deputy disputes, applications to the Court of Protection
Your inheritance & trust disputes team are...
John ClarkeAssociate
John is an Associate in our Inheritance & Trust Disputes team
Avril SimisterTrainee Chartered Legal Executive
Avril is a Trainee Chartered Legal Executive in our Inheritance & Trust Disputes team
Emma HammondLegal Secretary
Emma is a Legal Secretary in our Inheritance & Trusts Disputes team