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Debra specialises in contentious trusts and probate and represents private individuals, trusts and charities. Her areas of expertise include advising on disputes concerning the validity of wills and applications for rectification and variation of wills. She also acts in claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 for reasonable financial provision from the estate of the deceased. Debra has a particular interest in claims involving trusts; advising on claims for breach of a trustee’s duties, removal of executors and trustees and claims for a declaration of trusts in assets such as land.
Debra adopts a sensitive yet practical approach to handling such disputes and as well as the traditional court route, advocates the use of alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation.
Debra’s recent case highlights include:
Successfully defended an application brought by a widow for permission to bring a 1975 Act claim outside the primary limitation period (Sargeant v Sargeant [2018] EWHC 8 (Ch)
Representing an animal charity in connection with several will challenge/1975 Act claims
Defending a 1975 Act claim brought by a cohabitee against an estate worth £30million
Successfully negotiated settlement on behalf of a husband in a 1975 Act claim against his late wife’s estate
Representing the executors in connection with a will challenge/1975 Act claim against an estate worth in excess of £6.5 million
Acted for a defendant beneficiary in a 1975 Act claim brought by three separate parties against an estate worth in excess of £1 million. The claim involved the rectification of the grant of probate.
Represented the executors of an £11million estate in connection with a Variation of Trust application and infant approval hearing thus saving the estate millions of pounds in inheritance tax
Defended a trustee in connection with a trustee removal application in relation to a multi-million pound trust, involving numerous parties and complex trust and business structures
Canada
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Dog walking, salsa, reading, travel
Lasagne
Claims concerning estates and trusts can be a very emotive and distressing – I aim to make the process as easy as possible whilst seeking the best possible outcome for my clients.
