For individuals
Probate and contentious probate
We aim to ensure an estate is wound up in a proactive, efficient, effective and timely manner.
James McMullan
Herman Cheung
Charlotte Barbaroussis
Our team can support and guide you through the often unfamiliar territory after a death, helping you to obtain the Grant of Probate, administer the estate and explain the roles and responsibilities of executors and administrators to get the estate wound up as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men…” R. Burns
Our experience tells us that will, estate and trust disputes are many and varied and can be highly damaging to family relationships and costly.
With in-depth knowledge advising on the strengths and weaknesses of disputes, our team will help you to identify the key contested areas and determine the right strategy to resolve your dispute to achieve the best outcome for you and your family.
We are committed to resolving disputes and utilising platforms such as mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). However, should litigation become unavoidable, you can be assured our team will advise and support you throughout that period and keep you abreast of costs at all times.
Our head of department and private client partner, James McMullan, is an associate member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, and private client solicitor, Herman Cheung, is a fully accredited member. James and Herman are also members of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP), whilst trainee solicitor Charlotte Barbaroussis is an affiliate member of STEP. James is also an Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) member.
We understand that you may require a more discreet setting or a home visit to provide your instructions. Therefore, we can arrange to meet you in the comfort of your own home or at your care home or hospital in or around Central London. Click here for more information.
Articles and events
Live Q&A “An Introduction to Private Client Law: Lasting Powers of Attorney” – 26 April 2024, 11 am to 12 pm
Inheritance disputes on the rise – April 2024
Why make a will? – February 2024
Protecting your business should you lose mental capacity – October 2023
Death of a shareholder – September 2023
Step-families and succession planning – June 2023
Home visits for wills, LPAs and other sensitive topics – February 2023
Inheritance Tax account IHT100 forms changes – June 2022
The effects of Covid-19 on inheritance tax – February 2022
Processing an estate as an executor during COVID-19 – August 2020
Part 2: Four steps to reduce the chances of a contested will – July 2020
Part 1:How to reduce the chances of a will being contested – June 2020
The Intestacy Rules – January 2020
Debunking myths about dying without a will (intestate) _ November 2019
Reform set to cut complexity of inheritance tax – July 2019
Too poor for retirement? – November 2018
Death of a shareholder – October 2016
Sudden death – What to do – October 2016
At a glance
- Advising in relation to contested probate in a substantial estate with the dispute being resolved at mediation.
- Administration of two estates (husband and wife who died in close proximity to each other) with substantial assets, requiring considerable investigations before completion of IHT Account. Executors and beneficiaries based in Scotland.
- Administration of an estate (which passed to a minor beneficiary), appointing a second trustee, overseeing investment of funds to provide an income for the minor and dealing with ongoing trust administration.
- Complex claim against three defendants for breach of statutory trusts of intestacy, professional negligence, and undue influence in relation to lifetime gifts.
- Resolving a bitter family will trust dispute, involving agricultural land, trustees’ powers and duties, secret profits and breach of fiduciary duty.
- An Inheritance Act claim where a partner of 30+ years (unmarried) did not receive any provision, upon her partners’ death, due to the rules of intestacy. We managed to recover almost all of the estate for her benefit.
Costs information and transparency
Please view the following webpage for a full description of our costs and charges in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules 2018.
Practice areas
- Challenges to the validity of wills
- Claims against administrators
- Claims against executors
- Claims against trustees
- Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act claims
- Negligence in will drafting
- Probate and the administration of estates
Related pages
Testimonials
Please find a link to our testimonials here.