Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates

The latest insights and updates from our team in this area of law.

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates Proprietary Estoppel

Son Sues Father Over Broken Promise to Inherit £2M Chicken Farm

1st December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

In a bitter High Court battle that highlights the perils of relying on verbal promises in family businesses, Kevin Renaut,…

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates Inheritance (1975) Act

The Inheritance Act and Hirachand v Hirachand: Potential to transform contentious probate trials and CFAs

8th December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

In the realm of contentious probate, few pieces of legislation carry as much weight as the Inheritance (Provision for Family…

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates Estate Administration

Why ‘Equal isn’t always equitable’ – points to consider when deciding the split of assets amongst heirs

23rd December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

Fifty Six Law’s Paul Wood FRSA, founder of C-PAID, was recently featured in articles for Yahoo and GOBankingRates discussing how…

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates Proprietary Estoppel

Spencer v Spencer: son wins claim against father’s estate over promises to inherit family farm

23rd December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

In a recent High Court decision, a son’s lifelong commitment to his family’s farm, based on his father’s assurances that…

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates

Explaining the rules of intestacy – what happens when someone dies without a will (Updated for 2024)

23rd December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

A Will is a document by which a person communicates his or her intentions for what should happen to their…

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates Testamentary Capacity

Testamentary incapacity landmark ruling from High Court – Leonard v Leonard

23rd December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

In a significant decision for contested probate and will challenges, Mrs Justice Joanna Smith DBE in High Court has provided…

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates Undue Influence

Rea v Rea – Court of Appeal overturns High Court’s finding of undue influence over 2015 will

23rd December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal against a High Court decision that a daughter, Rita Rea, had procured…

Contentious Wills, Trusts & Estates Inheritance (1975) Act

Kaur v Singh: The power of the Inheritance Act 1975 to protect the surviving spouse

27th December 2024

Fifty Six Law Team

The recent case of Kaur v Estate of Karnail Singh & Ors [2023] EWHC 304 (Fam) demonstrates the vital role…

Estate Administration

Increase in Probate Fees from May 2024

1st March 2025

Fifty Six Law Team

As of May 2024, the fee for applying for a Grant of Probate in England and Wales has risen from…

Court of Protection

Financial Exploitation Through Power of Attorney: A Growing Crisis

24th March 2025

Fifty Six Law Team

Recent investigations have exposed disturbing patterns of financial exploitation through the misuse of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), revealing systematic…