Navigation
The death of a parent, partner, family member or other loved one can be an extremely distressing time. If there is no will, there may be uncertainty about the entitlement to a share of the deceased’s estate but even if there is a will, the contents may cause surprise, upset and disappointment. The death of a loved one can heighten family tensions and things can very quickly get out of hand.
The members of our team deal with contentious wills, probate, estates and trusts acting for beneficiaries, executors and trustees. They have experience in dealing with concerns about whether the deceased had capacity to make their last will, whether the personal representatives are administering the estate properly in accordance with the terms of the will (or, if there is no will, in accordance with the rules which apply where there is no will), or whether there has been a failure to make provision for a particular person in the will, for example.
Whatever the issue, and whether you are making a claim or defending one, we can sensitively guide you through this complicated area to equip you with the clear and concise information you need to make decisions at what is often an emotionally challenging time. We can offer practical solutions to defuse conflict before it gets out of hand.
Our team regularly advises on the resolution of matters by negotiation, mediation or other methods of alternative dispute resolution and, where court proceedings cannot be avoided, through litigation.
We offer advice on:
For further advice on any contested will matter please contact Rob Kelly today to see how we can help.
Direct dial: 01202 377861
Lizzy is proud to be a member of our dispute resolution team, after having relocated to Bournemouth from Devon in late-2022.
Prior to relocating, Lizzy completed her Legal Practice Course and Masters Degree with the University of Law at Exeter, and she qualified as a solicitor in 2020 at Enigma Solicitors, Plymouth.
Lizzy is adept at dealing with a wide range of matters, including property disputes, contentious probate, professional negligence and contractual disputes – to name just a few.
In her spare time, Lizzy loves to travel – she joined us after spending a month in Borneo and has since spent time in India! When she isn’t visiting new places, Lizzy likes to immerse herself in the joys of cooking, dog walking for local charities, and Latin dancing.
Direct dial: 01202 377871
“Rob Kelly has been absolutely exceptional in resolving this litigation and so thorough in everything and basically gave the opposition a masterclass of his work that he is so good at.”
“I have had the pleasure of working with several members of the team at Laceys regularly over a period of years. I found Rob Kelly in particular, who worked on a successful litigation case for me over a period of several years to be outstanding in all aspects of the work he undertook, and the manner in which he did it. I now consider him a friend. I would not - and have not - hesitated to recommend Laceys to my family and friends, and continue to use them for all legal matters.”
“ I just wanted to thank you for your great work on the professional negligence case and other cases you have represented Indian Ocean and Tiien through the last few years.”
“A case that was initially very straightforward became difficult and, for me, very frustrating. Rob Kelly's calm, lucid and very professional advice and planning were invaluable and led to a good outcome.”
“Their Fee Management was exemplary and the expertise provided by Rob was exactly what we required.”
“I've worked with a fair few lawyers over the years and Rob Kelly is the most on the ball and efficient lawyers I've ever come across. I'm looking forward to working together for many years to come.”
Rob practices in two main, complimentary areas of work – contentious wills, probate and trust disputes, and property disputes.
Contentious wills, probate and trusts
More than half of Rob’s time is spent dealing with the contentious aspects of wills, probate and trusts, an area in which he has practiced continuously for over 20 years. He advises and acts in disputes relating to wills and inheritance, trusts, the duties of trustees and personal representatives, and the administration of estate.
Rob’s practice embraces:
He has mediated (either as appointed mediator or as a representative) dozens of disputes involving contentious wills and probate issues.
Property disputes
The other side of Rob’s practice is contentious property work. This embraces:
Rob’s style is a mix of listening, asking (tough) questions, diplomacy and reality testing. He’s interested, flexible, and pragmatic. He offers a common sense, realistic approach to assist his clients in searching for solutions to their disputes and brings straight talking and integrity to his work.
Rob is a Solicitor. He successfully completed training as a mediator under the ADR Chambers / Harvard Law Project Scheme in June 2006 and is a member of the Civil Mediation Council.
There are a number of ways you may be able to dispute a Will if you are...
A commercial lease is a legally binding contract made between a landlord and a business tenant. A...
Direct dial: 01202 377810
“Brendan has been really great on a whole range of professional negligence issues. I highly recommend him.”
“Brendan is an excellent support and shows empathy when dealing with difficult situations. He explains clearly costs and possible outcomes and makes me feel like I have somebody on my team.”
“Always professional and prompt on a wide range of legal matters.”
Brendan has a BSc in Zoology and Psychology from the University of Liverpool, and went on to obtain his Post Graduate Diploma in Law, and Legal Practice Course at the College of Law (now the University of Law), in Chester. Brendan completed his training with a national firm in Manchester and London, and was admitted as a solicitor in 2005.
Brendan is part of our Dispute Resolution Team, working with both private individuals and businesses to either avoid or resolve disputes. With over 10 years experience he has helped clients deal with a wide variety of issues from professional negligence claims and breach of contract disputes, to more specialist areas including construction disputes, intellectual property work, licensing applications and inheritance claims.
Brendan has a very approachable manner, and places great importance on client relationships. He enjoys tackling all matters directly, and always looks to provide clients with practical, cost-effective solutions. Outside of work Brendan runs a hugely successful music festival in the Cotswolds.
When he is not knee-deep in mud at a festival, he enjoys travelling (especially in Africa, where he worked as a safari camp manager for a year), golf, photography and getting out and about in the Dorset countryside.
To find out more about Brendan being described in the 2021 Legal 500 as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ and what this means to him here;
As a supplier you rely on the contractual relationships with your customers for many reasons. As well...
‘There are many legal options available for enforcing a judgment debt once you have obtained an order...
The government’s unclaimed estates list has exceeded £1 billion in assets. This is money and property left by individuals where no heir has been...
A court has found that a handwritten document found in Aretha Franklin’s sofa is a valid Will. Three of her four sons had been...
There are a number of ways you may be able to dispute a Will if you are concerned about its contents, the way in...
The government has raised the amount a spouse or civil partner can inherit if their partner dies without making a Will. As of 25...
A widow who was married to her husband for 66 years but left out of his Will has won her court case requesting a...
In a recent inheritance claim case, a disabled adult won £195,000 from his late mother’s estate after being left out of her Will. The...