Contentious Probate
By their nature, disputes over inheritance occur at times of emotional vulnerability and distress. Bringing or defending such claims is especially demanding, and claims have the potential to become acrimonious and fraught very quickly, and positions entrenched. Early expert advice is crucial.
Examples of the situations that we can advise upon include:
- Dissatisfaction with the financial provision received out of the deceased person's estate, whether under the terms of the will or the rules upon intestacy;
- Unanticipated gifts made by a relative late in his or her life;
- Lost or destroyed wills;
- Contesting a will;
- Wills made under duress or undue influence, or where the person concerned did not sufficiently understand what he or she was doing;
- Allegations of property being misappropriated by relatives;
- Forged wills;
- Disputes between executors/beneficiaries and trustees/executors;
- Negotiating settlements to avoid the cost of litigation where appropriate;
The circumstances of each case are unique, requiring a tailored response to the individual needs of that particular client, and an approach that balances sensitivity with pragmatism.
We strive to achieve effective dispute resolution at an early stage and, where that is not successful, to engage in and manage litigation as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.
Please contact Philip Bagley on +44(0)113 297 7740 or email at pbagley@shulmans.co.uk for further information about the service we can provide.