Specialising in independent estate administration, Freeths LLP is well-equipped to handle claims under the Inheritance Act, contested court of protection work, and will challenges. The practice is also particularly active in the agriculture space, often advising on contentious farming estate work, notably proprietary estoppel. Mark Keeley oversees the team and has over two decades of experience in contentious trust and probate litigation, including trustee removal applications. Rachel Gaffney’s broad caseload encompasses financial abuse, undue influence, and welfare disputes. Robert Hill is particularly well-versed in claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, while Emma Fitzmaurice is praised as ‘a highly experienced associate who is hugely efficient.’ Emma Pottinger is another key team member. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Nottingham.

Lauded as an ‘experienced and knowledgeable’, Nelsons Solicitors Limited is geared to handle the full spectrum of contentious trusts and probate matters. Kevin Modiri leads the practice from Derby and is noted for his knowledge of civil litigation and the Provision for Family and Dependents Act 1975. In Leicester, Lewis Addison enjoys a strong track record in ADR and mediation, while the Nottingham-based Stuart Parris often advises clients on executor disputes, and uniquely specialises in disputes surrounding the deceased’s ashes.

Recently engaged in legacy disputes, Shakespeare Martineau LLP is a key port of call for agricultural clients on contentious trust and probate work. The practice is also well-equipped to handle executor, trust and will disputes in addition to contested Court of Protection applications. Based in Leicester, Andrew Wilkinson oversees the national team and is particularly skilled at cross-border trust disputes. Splitting her time between Leicester and Nottingham, Debra Burton holds both ACTAPS and TEP qualifications.

Lauded as ‘well-known specialists in the agricultural sector’, Roythornes Solicitors is particularly adept at Court of Protection matters, family provision claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and proprietary estoppel claims against estates. Gavin Faber leads the practice from Birmingham, while Spalding-based Tim Russ is praised for his ‘in-depth knowledge of all aspects of agricultural law.’  In Nottingham, Jak Ward is ‘an extremely skilled and experienced litigator’ and is often engaged in disputes surrounding the administration of estates and co-owned property, as well as applications for the removal of executors and trustees.

Commended by clients for its ‘practical and efficient advice’ the full-service law firm Smith Partnership is well-equipped to handle the full gamut of contentious trusts and probate matters, including estate administration and estate property transfers. Russell Davies oversees the practice, while Victoria Townsend is praised as ‘an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer in the contentious trusts and probate field.’ Additionally, Townsend's broad caseload encompasses disputed Wills, matters falling under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, and claims for Proprietary Estoppel. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Derby.

Flint Bishop LLP covers the full array of contentious probate work for beneficiaries, trustees, and executors, including the Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependants Act 1975, the removal and appointment of executors and trustees, as well as challenging the validity of wills. Sundeep Sandhu oversees the practice from Derby and is knowledgeable of professional negligence surrounding the drafting of wills and trusts matters; she is also praised as ‘analytical, organized, and a pleasure to work with.’

Leveraging support from the firm’s Birmingham, Manchester, and Nottingham private client teams, Gateley Legal is a strong choice for banks, executors, and trustees. The practice’s caseload encompasses challenging will validity, family provision claims, professional negligence, and proprietary estoppel claims against estates. With over a decade of experience, Claire Herbert oversees the practice from Nottingham and is praised as a ‘very tenacious litigator.’

Commended as an ‘excellent regional contentious trusts and probate team’, Howes Percival LLP is frequently engaged in estate administration work. With over two decades of experience, Jennifer Laskey leads the team from Milton Keynes and is praised by clients as ‘intelligent, personable, robust, and an excellent litigator.’ In Leicester, Geraint Davies is proficient in commercial litigation and often advises clients on professional negligence claims, corporate and partnership disputes, as well as trust and tax disputes.

With a broad regional footprint, including offices spread across Boston, Lincoln, and Nottingham, Sills & Betteridge LLP often works in conjunction with the firm’s commercial litigation, corporate and commercial, as well as residential and commercial property teams. The ‘reliable and very knowledgeable’ practice is also reputed for its capabilities surrounding proprietary estoppel cases, the removal of executors, and trust disputes. The ‘technically sound and very pragmatic’ Lincoln-based Karen Bower-Brown leads the team and is skilled at disputes over the validity of wills, and financial provision claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Robert Pearson splits his time between Nottingham and Lincoln and has recently handled disputes between personal representatives and claims against trustees.

Highlighted for its agricultural contentious trusts and probate expertise, Wilkin Chapman LLP is particularly proficient in estate administration, professional negligence, and proprietary estoppel claims. Lauded as ‘an excellent solicitor specialising in contentious cases’, Katherine Marshall leads the practice from Louth and is knowledgeable of the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 and handles a breadth of commercial litigation matters. Also based in Louth, Sam Sleight’s caseload encompasses Executor and Trustee disputes, lack of testamentary capacity, and undue influence matters.

With a broad agricultural offering, including tenancies and estate management, Browne Jacobson LLP is well-informed in high-value settlement trusts. The practice, which is praised for its ‘practical solutions and clear advice on risk and strategy’, is led by the Nottingham-based Daniel Edwards. He is lauded by clients as ‘an exceptional solicitor’ and is well-versed in post-death disputes surrounding family businesses.

Breach of trusts, claims for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and Promissory Estoppel matters remain a key component of the practice at Wilson Browne. The team is also able to draw upon support from the firm’s private client department on the interpretation of will clauses and trust matters. Nadia Halliday leads the team from Leicester and is vastly experienced in cases involving applications for Declarations for Presumption of Death.