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Executor and Trustee Disputes

Our expert personal disputes team advises on a wide range of executor and trustee disputes – disagreements about the actions and judgement of the people appointed to a oversee how will is settled.

We understand that the probate process can be both confusing and upsetting, particularly if you were close to the deceased. We work closely with our expert colleagues in probate and estate administration to recognise where issues might arise and take steps to constructively resolve them before they spiral out of control.

Our expert team have wide-ranging experience of advising clients on to approach and resolve disputes with executors and trustees. We will take the time to understand your concerns about the way probate is being handled, explain the technical jargon that you may encounter and help you to understand your options.

The Team’s expertise has been recognised in Chambers & Partners’ High Net Worth Guide. Comments from clients and contacts bolstered this recognition by giving references such as “Coodes’ client handling is exceptionally good. They keep clients completely in the loop without overwhelming them.”, and “Coodes have excellent solicitors with a good knowledge of the subjects they deal in. They always show clear understanding of what is important to business.”

We can provide expert advice and guidance in relation to a broad range of contested probate and estate administration disputes, including:

Disputes over the way executors or administrators are administering the estate
Allegations of fraud or mismanagement of an estate
Applications to prevent the grant of probate or grant of letters of administration (referred to as ‘caveats’)
Disputes over the valuation of an estate
Applications to remove executors
Applications to court for directions on how to administer the estate
Disputes between executors/administrators and the beneficiaries
Disputes between beneficiaries
Disputes between trustees

Team

Melanie Grose

Head of Personal Disputes

Ben Sidgwick

Partner

Colin Hunter

Partner

Hayley Gaffney

Partner

Jodie Walmsley

Litigation Executive

Poppy Pain

Paralegal

Client Testimonials

Hayley Gaffney has strong expertise across the board in private client matters and she excels at client care.

Hayley is very efficient. She is really good at turning stuff around. She gets it right and on time.

Hayley has been fantastic, keeping us fully up to date on everything and guiding us through the next steps. I couldn’t ask for better service.

Melanie Grose has excellent judgement based on her wealth of experience. She gives her clients firm, clear advice and helps them make good strategic decisions to achieve the best, cost-efficient results.

Melanie is extremely sensitive to clients needs and is able to adapt her approach and tone to the situation at hand. She is totally authentic, and that goes a long way.

Melanie is totally amazing – knowledgeable, professional and caring. From the first day I met them, I felt safe and totally supported.

I have found all colleagues at Coodes that I have had dealings with to be exemplary. They always respond promptly to emails and phone calls, giving me professional and positive advice.

Coodes have excellent solicitors with a good knowledge of the subjects they deal in. They always show clear understanding of what is important to business.

Coodes' client handling is exceptionally good. They keep clients completely in the loop without overwhelming them.

There can be few probate teams in the region and indeed the country with as much trial experience, although the great majority of their work leads to out-of-court settlement. If there is an issue in a disputed estate, chances are they have been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

Barrister

Having worked with the contentious probate team at Coodes for the best part of a decade, I would recommend them without reservation and have done so on numerous occasions. A nicer group of people you could not hope to meet, but beneath the warm exterior they are capable and, where necessary, tenacious lawyers.

Barrister

Mel Grose is something of a legend: experienced, empathetic, with an instinctive grasp of the strengths and weaknesses of her clients’ cases. She is totally unflappable, unfailingly good humoured, and will work as hard as it takes.

Barrister

Hayley Gaffney will fight like a velociraptor for her clients but is equally ready to compromise. Someone you want to have in your side in the trenches.

Barrister