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For individuals

Probate and contentious probate

We aim to ensure an estate is wound up in a proactive, efficient, effective and timely manner.

Our team can support and guide you through the often unfamiliar territory after a death, helping you to obtain the Grant of Probate, administer the estate and explain the roles and responsibilities of executors and administrators to get the estate wound up as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men…” R. Burns

Our experience tells us that will, estate and trust disputes are many and varied and can be highly damaging to family relationships and costly.

With in-depth knowledge advising on the strengths and weaknesses of disputes, our team will help you to identify the key contested areas and determine the right strategy to resolve your dispute to achieve the best outcome for you and your family.

We are committed to resolving disputes and utilising platforms such as mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). However, should litigation become unavoidable, you can be assured our team will advise and support you throughout that period and keep you abreast of costs at all times.

Our head of department and private client partner, James McMullan, is an associate member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, and private client solicitor, Herman Cheung, is a fully accredited member. James and Herman are also members of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP), whilst trainee solicitor Charlotte Barbaroussis is an affiliate member of STEP. James is also an Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) member.

We understand that you may require a more discreet setting or a home visit to provide your instructions. Therefore, we can arrange to meet you in the comfort of your own home or at your care home or hospital in or around Central London. Click here for more information.

At a glance
  • Advising in relation to contested probate in a substantial estate with the dispute being resolved at mediation.
  • Administration of two estates (husband and wife who died in close proximity to each other) with substantial assets, requiring considerable investigations before completion of IHT Account. Executors and beneficiaries based in Scotland.
  • Administration of an estate (which passed to a minor beneficiary), appointing a second trustee, overseeing investment of funds to provide an income for the minor and dealing with ongoing trust administration.
  • Complex claim against three defendants for breach of statutory trusts of intestacy, professional negligence, and undue influence in relation to lifetime gifts.
  • Resolving a bitter family will trust dispute, involving agricultural land, trustees’ powers and duties, secret profits and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • An Inheritance Act claim where a partner of 30+ years (unmarried) did not receive any provision, upon her partners’ death, due to the rules of intestacy. We managed to recover almost all of the estate for her benefit.
Costs information and transparency

Please view the following webpage for a full description of our costs and charges under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules 2018.

Practice areas
  • Challenges to the validity of wills
  • Claims against administrators
  • Claims against executors
  • Claims against trustees
  • Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act claims
  • Negligence in will drafting
  • Probate and the administration of estates
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What they say...

  • C Smith, March 2025
    “As executor of a will it was a relief for a solicitor to act on my behalf as though no disputes it was still a lengthy and complex process. It was dealt with mostly by Charlotte B. who kept me informed at all times. She explained the process c

  • Marc, March 2025
    “RIAA Barker Gillette were engaged to handle a real estate transaction with unusual circumstances. As a non-UK resident unfamiliar with English conveyancing procedures, I felt completely satisfied with the depth of the information and explanati

  • Leigh, March 2025
    “Instructed Martin on my first property purchase. He was a delight to work with, kept me informed and updated regularly. It was an incredibly smooth and quick process. Couldn’t be happier.”

  • Ms Brownell, March 2025
    “Patrick was amazing from start to finish. He made the process so easy, and explained each step in detail ahead of time so I’d understand what would happen and when. He was incredibly organized and noted every detail, calling out things t

  • Roman Cassini, February 2025
    “Peter Wright – highly recommended solicitor, helped us though a complicated flat sale with consummate professionalism.”

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