Trusts, Wills and Probate Mediation

Resolve inheritance disputes privately with expert mediation. CEDR achieves a 93% settlement rate in trusts, wills and probate disputes, helping families reach fair outcomes whilst preserving relationships.

Why Mediation Works For Inheritance Disputes

Trusts, wills and probate disagreements involve legal, financial and deeply personal issues. Mediation is uniquely placed to address all three, giving families control over outcomes rather than leaving decisions to a judge. Most disputes settle in a single day, saving months of court delays and significant legal costs whilst keeping sensitive family matters private.

What types of disputes we resolve

CEDR's 12 specialist trusts, wills and probate mediators handle disputes ranging from £10,000 to £400 million, including:

Will validity and interpretation disputes, including challenges on grounds of undue influence, testamentary capacity or proprietary estoppel
Inheritance Act 1975 claims by family members and dependents seeking estate redistribution
Intestacy rule challenges by carers, cohabitees, friends or stepchildren excluded under fixed provisions
Professional negligence claims against trustees and executors for breach of duty, mismanagement or poor investment decisions
High-net-worth family disputes over property portfolios and trust assets

The mediation advantage for probate matters

Mediation offers this sector a cost-effective, private and timely method to reach resolution, with the opportunity to address underlying and potentially very painful personal issues. Unlike court proceedings, mediation can accommodate non-financial resolutions such as burial arrangements, sentimental possessions and apologies.

The emotional content of these disputes is enormous, making mediation's flexible, creative and emotionally attuned approach particularly valuable for finding sustainable solutions.

"Mediation is a much more fluid, creative, imaginative and emotionally in-tune way of finding solutions." – Dawn Goodman, Senior Counsel at Withersworldwide

What makes CEDR mediators different

Our mediators bring sector-specific legal expertise combined with sensitivity to the emotional dynamics that often entrench inheritance conflicts. They understand that in probate disputes, addressing personal concerns matters as much as resolving legal and financial issues.

CEDR mediators are proactive problem-solvers who drive momentum towards settlement whilst recognising the deep-rooted family history at play.

"I thought the prospect of a settlement was zero. Your skills in dealing with both sides somehow produced a very fair deal." – Senior Partner, Silver Circle Law Firm

"The mediator has a very dynamic and proactive approach. She helped the parties cut through the legal and commercial difficulties and work past entrenchment issues to reach a deal which worked for both sides." – Senior Associate, Sheffield-based firm

Online and in-person mediation

CEDR offers both virtual and in-person mediation with no difference in settlement rates. Online mediation often provides cost and time savings whilst allowing flexible process design, including multiple shorter sessions with different participant combinations. Many parties find mediating from home less intimidating during an already difficult time.

Get expert support within hours

Submit an enquiry and a CEDR Client Advisor will respond within two business days to discuss your dispute and recommend an appropriate mediator.

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