Paul Hewitt
Partner | London
> Experience > Our practices > Trust, estate and inheritance disputes
Succession disputes can be financially and emotionally costly. As a leading team of trust, estate and inheritance dispute lawyers, we offer sensitive advice around the world, considering all angles and working together to find a way forward.
Who should inherit what? What was promised? What is fair? These questions are not easy to answer, but where there are disputes our leading trust and succession lawyers can help.
It might be that you’ve lost faith in a trustee or protector controlling a trust. Maybe a vulnerable parent was persuaded to draft a will disinheriting you. Your trust may be under attack during a divorce, or perhaps you represent a charity defending a legacy.We know that you are likely facing a complex, emotionally-charged situation. We are top-ranked for trust and succession disputes globally, with one of the world’s largest teams of inheritance lawyers dedicated to them. Recognized as ‘supportive and completely committed to clients’, we will put your best interests at the heart of what we do and offer pragmatic advice to suit your needs.
Only a small percentage of our cases end up in court. In our view going to trial is rarely in the best financial or personal interests of clients who are facing bereavement, divorce or some manner of family feud. However, this does not mean compromising on results.
There are many forms of alternative dispute resolution which could help you resolve your dispute quickly and privately. In some cases, clear and robust correspondence from us is enough to secure the outcome you want. In others, a round-table meeting will achieve the best result. Should the matter go to mediation, we have accredited mediators within the team that can help you reach a fair outcome through negotiation without the stress and uncertainty of going to court. Some disputes may be suitable for arbitration, which is similar to the court process in that the parties have to abide by the decision of the arbitrator, but on a private basis. This approach offers a faster outcome and the privacy is especially welcome in trust and succession disputes.
Whatever path you choose, we will work closely with you to assess all available options and ensure you receive the best possible advice for your unique situation.
Should court proceedings prove unavoidable, we are renowned for our ability to win the most complex onshore and offshore cases.
With offices around the world, our experienced cross-border trust and estate solicitors have achieved many ‘firsts’ – such as obtaining a Singapore High Court decision that certain stamp duties should not apply to residential property purchased by a charitable purpose trust, removing a protector from a Guernsey trust and setting aside a trustee decision in Bermuda.
At all stages, we aim to resolve disputes as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. This is one of the reasons we are chosen to represent many charities, including the RSPCA, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Royal Society.
Partner | London
Partner | London
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Partner | London
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