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At Barnes Law, we advise executors, administrators, trustees, and beneficiaries, as well as high-net-worth individuals in a wide range of trust disputes involving complex trusts and estates. We recognise that pursuing or defending a claim like this can be extremely stressful and impose an emotional toll on those involved.
Trust and estate disputes are often extremely complex, with wealth often spread across the world in the form of trusts and other assets. Our experienced contentious trusts and estates solicitors provide advice on complex and multi-jurisdictional issues, and help our clients achieve their objectives across a variety of dispute resolution mechanisms, from mediation to litigation.
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We represent clients spanning high-net-worth families and those in a fiduciary role in complex onshore and offshore trust disputes. We also have extensive expertise in handling will disputes, including challenging the validity of wills and contested inheritance claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. We work closely with clients on these sensitive needs to assess their goals at an early stage, and develop a clear strategy that is aligned with their objectives.
As the preferred choice for clients seeking elite trusts and estates legal advisers, premium service and a strategic approach, we thrive where complexity and pressure meet.
Our contentious trusts and probate team has established a strong reputation in successfully representing clients throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
We handle a wide range of contentious trusts and estates disputes, from relatively straightforward disputes that can be resolved speedily to more complex cases involving high value assets spanning multiple jurisdictions.
We advise professional and lay trustees, beneficiaries, high-net-worth individuals and families on contentious trust matters with complete discretion. Our work includes disputes concerning the validity of trusts, allegations of mistake, sham or lack of capacity, trustee removal and breach of trust claims, applications for inventories and accounts, disputes between trustees or beneficiaries, claims by or against trusts, questions concerning trust assets, and trust variations.
We advise individuals, families, beneficiaries, executors and personal representatives on all types of will and estate disputes. Our experience includes challenges to the validity of wills on grounds of incapacity, undue influence, forgery or fraud, claims under the Inheritance Act, will rectification, estate administration disputes, executor removal, proprietary estoppel claims, executor misconduct, disputes concerning beneficial ownership of estate property, and the recovery of misappropriated estate assets.
We act for clients in disputes concerning the valuation and ownership of estate and trust assets, particularly where wealth is held through private companies, property, investments, family businesses or complex structures. Our work includes disputes over beneficial ownership, lifetime gifts, assets transferred before death, misappropriated estate property, and disagreements over the proper valuation of high-value or difficult-to-value assets.
We provide advice concerning the ownership, transfer and recovery of estate or trust assets. This spans claims involving lifetime gifts, assets transferred before death, misappropriated property, suspected fraud, constructive and resulting trusts, and assets held through companies or other structures. We help clients trace, protect and recover assets where ownership is disputed or property has been removed improperly.
A trust dispute is a disagreement involving the creation, administration, management or operation of a trust. These disputes may arise between trustees, beneficiaries, protectors or other interested parties. Common issues include challenges to the validity of a trust, allegations of breach of trust, concerns about trustee conduct, disputes over distributions, requests for disclosure of trust documents, and questions about the ownership or management of trust assets.
You should consider instructing a contentious trusts and estates solicitor as soon as a dispute arises, or where there are early signs that one may develop. This is particularly important where the dispute involves high-value assets, complex family dynamics, allegations of misconduct, offshore structures or assets in multiple jurisdictions.
Yes. A will may be challenged where there are concerns about whether it is legally valid. Common grounds include lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, forgery, lack of knowledge and approval, or failure to comply with the required formalities. These claims are often highly sensitive and evidence-led, so it is important to obtain specialist advice at an early stage before taking steps that may affect the estate or the administration process.
Yes. Trustees, executors and personal representatives can be removed or replaced in certain circumstances, particularly where there are concerns about misconduct, conflict of interest, delay, failure to account, breach of duty, loss of confidence or an inability to administer the trust or estate properly. The appropriate approach will depend on the terms of the trustor will, the nature of the dispute and whether court intervention is required.
We advise on trust and estate disputes involving assets, parties and structures across multiple jurisdictions. These matters may involve offshore trusts, overseas property, foreign beneficiaries, international family wealth, cross-border enforcement issues, or questions about which country’s laws and courts apply. We regularly work with overseas advisers and intermediaries to provide strategic advice in complex international disputes.
Trust and estate disputes can often be resolved through negotiation, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, helping parties avoid the cost, publicity and uncertainty of court proceedings. In some cases, arbitration may be appropriate, particularly where confidentiality and procedural flexibility are important. Where litigation is necessary, our team can act decisively in court proceedings, including urgent applications, applications for directions, removal claims and claims involving complex assets or fiduciary duties.
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We offer an experienced team of contentious trusts and estates lawyers with exceptional track records and strategic foresight.
Barnes Law is proud to be recognised as a market leader in the prestigious Chambers & Partners UK 2026 guide.
We act for high-net worth individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners who value discretion, responsiveness and trust.
Our approachable team, with a partner-led approach, specialises in addressing diverse complex legal challenges. Whether you represent a small to medium-sized enterprise, an entrepreneur, or a high-net-worth individual, we provide expert advice tailored to the intricacies of your case. For a consultation on how Barnes Law can assist you, please call us on +44 (0) 208 092 2700 or email info@barnes-law.co.uk.
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