Wills and probate

Overview

Sometimes because of long running and unresolved family issues, disputes involving inheritance and trusts can be deeply personal and acrimonious. Whether relating to the adequacy of provision for beneficiaries under a will, the application of intestacy provisions, or the creation, validity and management of trusts, issues are often both complicated and sensitive. The modern day widening of family relationships increases the range of potential claimants and beneficiaries, and emotions run high, often leading to difficult and unsuccessful direct negotiations between the parties, and sometimes even putting a substantial proportion of the estate's value at risk of being extinguished through legal fees.

Dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation are therefore regularly used to assist in inheritance cases, offering both swift resolutions for the parties and ensuring costs are not detrimental to the estate or the trust in question. Such processes also provide for a private airing of sensitive family issues, sometimes even providing an opportunity for families to address concerns and put the past behind them.

CEDR Solve's specialist team comprising lawyers, ex judges, trusts professionals, accountants and bankers, bring with them a combination of both private client and litigation expertise and have a track record of resolving complex and probate disputes, frequently with an international dynamic.

Areas of expertise

Our wills and probate practice has a number of mediators and neutrals available for appointment on a wide range of assignments:

Our highly experienced mediators and neutrals can also assist with consultancy assignments to develop organisational capability and capacity for resolving conflict including dispute systems design, introducing mediation, developing formal policies and procedures, establishing informal communication protocols and coaching managers and teams through change.

Our mediators and neutrals

From its panel of over 150 mediators and neutrals CEDR Solve has access to many of the UK's leading wills and probate dispute specialists available for appointment across our wide range of services. For advice on selecting the most appropriate mediator or neutral to meet your needs contact the CEDR Solve team on +44 (0)20 7536 6060. Full biographies of those available exclusively through CEDR can be found in the on-line mediator directory.

Client track record

Current clients include:

Private clients
Estate planning & management firms
Financial institutions
UK & Offshore trusts

Many of our clients choose to support us through CEDR Membership, allowing them access to preferential fees, dedicated ADR advisers, bespoke scheme design and regular seminars and theatres, while contributing to the support of CEDR's not-for-profit mission.

Case studies

Need a mediator?

Learn more about our wills and probate mediators and neutrals below, available for appointment exclusively through CEDR Solve. Other mediators on the CEDR Solve panel are also available.

Hover over photo for a synopsis or click for full profile.

Nick
Pearson