Disputed Wills and Inheritance Claims

Contentious Trust, Probate and Inheritance Act Claims

If the death of a close relative or partner results in a family conflict you need a legal expert who will deal with the case practically, cost effectively but above all sympathetically. With many years experience of acting for claimants and defendants, beneficiaries and executors, administrators and trustees we have a well rounded view of these disputes.

We understand that inheritance or will and trust disputes between family members can become both bitterly fought and expensive. As a result we always try to resolve disputes ‘out of court’ by negotiation, joint settlement meetings or mediation if that is in your best interests. Our team includes an experienced ADR Group Accredited Mediator and a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists.

We deal with all types of disputes including:

  • Applications for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
  • Challenges to the validity of wills, claims for rectification or disputes about the correct interpretation of wills or trusts
  • Claims against trustees for breach of trust or applications to remove or replace trustees or personal representatives
  • The recovery of lifetime gifts made as a result of ‘undue influence’
  • Claims for equitable relief in relation to trusts and otherwise
  • Disputes in relation to the administration of an estate
  • Applications to the Court of Protection in respect of attorneyships or deputyships.

To speak to a specialist litigation solicitor about resolving your will, inheritance or trust dispute contact us now by calling, emailing or requesting a call back from one of our specialist dispute resolution lawyers.

Who to contact

Jane Crosby -Head of Dispute Resolution

Jane Crosby

Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution & Accredited Mediator

Jane Crosby -Head of Dispute Resolution

Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution & Accredited Mediator

Jane Crosby

Jane is a Partner based in the Guildford office and she is also Head of the Dispute Resolution team here at Hart Brown. Jane specialises in employment Law and commercial litigation and brings more than 15 years' experience to her role.

Prior to entering the legal profession, Jane was employed in the aviation industry. This experience is appreciated by many of Jane's clients who note that she is able to take a commercial and pragmatic approach to any legal issue that they face.

Jane acts for a wide range of individuals and businesses and her areas of specialism include aviation, property related industries and IT. Jane regularly advises on aspects of employment law, such as settlement agreements, employment contracts, policies and procedures, redundancies, equal pay, data protection, issues arising from TUPE and reorganisations, the calculation of holiday pay, bonus and commission payments, disciplinary and grievance issues, dismissal and termination issues, the protection of confidential information and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Jane gets involved in GDPR training for her clients and she is able to deliver tailored employment law training sessions upon request.

As a commercial litigation lawyer, Jane also deals in shareholder and directors disputes, commercial contract disputes and the enforcement of restrictive covenants.

Jane has been involved in successful high value commercial litigation for clients in the High Courts, she is an accredited mediator and she is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Jane is often asked to write for a number of well known publications, including The Daily Mail, The Telegraph and The Week and she has been interviewed on BBC Radio 4.

Here is small selection of the feedback that Jane has received:

“Jane, I cannot sincerely thank you enough for your wise counsel and am delighted to have made your acquaintance. If I am blessed with a new position somewhere I will hand over my contract in the first instance to you. Likewise, any of my friends, peers, romans and countrymen wanting advice, I will point them in your direction.”

“Jane, you have been most resilient on my behalf for which I sincerely thank you for all your endeavours. I have a tremendous working relationship with Hart Brown and you have undoubtedly compounded this further."

“I appreciated the clarity of advice given at a stressful time”.

“A sensitive and highly professional approach and efficient work in the interests of the client”.

“Your advice, conduct and assistance have been indeed outstanding and very professional but also – and most importantly – very humane”.

    Yara Abdallah

    Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

    Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

    Yara Abdallah

    Yara is a Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team here at Hart Brown, having qualified in September 2024.

    Yara obtained her degree in Law in 2020 at the University of Surrey before completing her Legal Practice Course and Masters in Law in 2021 at the University of Law.

    Yara joined Hart Brown in 2022 and practices in property litigation, employment and commercial litigation.

    Yara is committed to understanding her client’s needs and providing efficient advice and solutions.

    Some client testimonials:

    “Thank you again for going above and beyond to get this done for me.”

    “I’d like to make a special point of thanking Yara as well, she has been there too almost from the beginning! We have been lucky to have her.”

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