Clients trust us to guide them through every step, bringing expertise, compassion, and a thoughtful approach to even the most challenging of situations.
Contesting trusts and probate can be emotionally charged and stressful for all involved. At Greenwoods, we understand the strain these situations bring and offer our clients a steady, empathetic approach. Our focus is on providing reassurance and clarity, ensuring clients feel supported throughout the process. We take care to manage expectations, particularly around costs, offering a realistic and transparent perspective.
Our goal is to resolve trust and probate disputes amicably, exploring formal settlements and alternative dispute resolution methods to secure the best possible outcomes.
When estates become more complex, particularly with international assets or multiple properties, our Private Wealth team’s deep expertise in drafting Wills, Inheritance Tax, estate planning, trusts, estate administration, and powers of attorney ensures that clients receive the thorough advice and support they need.
Disputes over validity due to lack of capacity, undue influence, or improper execution.
Conflicts under TOLATA 1996; Frequently brought by an individual separated from the deceased spouse but is not married and/or in a civil partnership. Extends to other individuals including claims between trustees/friends (for example who own property together) and trust disputes.
Those left out or inadequately provided for in a Will, often cohabitees without legal partnerships.
Claims against executors or trustees for poor handling, including court actions to replace them or ensure accountability.
Disputes over estate value or personal inheritance.
Actions involving trustees, deputyship disputes, or professional negligence.
We provide ongoing legal and tax advisory services to the trustees of Will trusts holding interests in private UK companies, including tax-efficient investment strategies, tax return preparation, and trustee duties. When concerns arose about potential mismanagement of underlying assets by one of the co-investing families, we urgently guided the trustees on the necessary steps to protect the trust fund, including securing board representation and addressing fiduciary issues. Through strategic collaboration with our Disputes team, we successfully facilitated the appointment of a new board member, managed contentious negotiations, and are now implementing a roadmap to restructure the assets and safeguard the long-term interests of the trusts.
We were instructed to administer the estate of a non-domiciled individual, who held a beneficial interest in a UK property owned on bare trust by an Isle of Man company. The deceased died intestate, and we prepared a deed of variation to divert the entire estate to the wife, enabling her to benefit from the spouse exemption for IHT planning, resulting in substantial tax savings. Through Edward Knox‘s expertise in managing complex cross-border estates, we dealt with issues such as identifying the rightful applicants for Grant of Representation, the beneficiaries of the estate, and the situs of assets, while coordinating with foreign advisers to ensure smooth and culturally sensitive communication throughout the process.
This case involved administering the estates of a late husband and wife who had limited knowledge of UK inheritance laws. Before their deaths, they gifted a large sum to their adult children, who invested the funds into their own family homes, leading to complications upon the husband’s death. The husband’s Will, which included specific gifts of residential properties, faced potential family conflict due to unequal distribution, with one property being sold during the couple’s lifetimes. Our team, led by Edward Knox, managed to resolve this by securing an equal estate distribution through a Deed of Variation. Edward’s empathetic, clear, and jargon-free advice helped the family understand the tax implications, particularly inheritance tax (IHT), and the potential penalties from HMRC, ensuring family cohesion and minimising tax risks. The estate is now on track to be wound up with a fair distribution, and a claim for tax relief on the property sale is in process.
Private Wealth / 29 September 2025
Private Wealth / 29 September 2025
Private Wealth / 29 September 2025
Corporate & Commercial, Private Wealth / 29 August 2025