Disputes involving wills, trusts, estates and family wealth are often legally complex and emotionally charged. They can arise at times of bereavement, vulnerability or family breakdown, and frequently involve significant assets or long-standing relationships.

Our Private Wealth Disputes team is one of the largest and most experienced specialist teams in the UK. We advise individuals, families, executors, trustees, charities and professional advisers on resolving disputes relating to private wealth — from contested wills and inheritance claims to trust, property and cross-border disputes.

Specialist advice across contested wills, trusts and estates

We provide expert advice on the full range of private wealth disputes, including disputes involving:

the validity or interpretation of wills
inheritance and financial provision claims
estate administration and executor conduct
trusts and equitable ownership of property
family and farming succession
Court of Protection and capacity issues
offshore and cross-border assets

Our focus is always on protecting our clients’ interests while achieving the most effective and proportionate outcome.

Private wealth disputes rarely follow a single pattern. Some require urgent court intervention, while others benefit from careful negotiation and early resolution.

We support clients through every stage of a dispute, including:

early assessment of merits and risks
urgent protective steps (including caveats and injunctions)
evidence gathering and investigation
negotiation and mediation
High Court and specialist tribunal proceedings

Where possible, we aim to resolve disputes without litigation. Where court action is required, we act decisively and robustly.

Our private wealth dispute services

We advise across the full spectrum of private wealth disputes. Please select the area most relevant to your situation:

Contesting and defending wills

Estate and probate disputes

Trusts, property and asset disputes

Trust of Land, asset recovery and equitable claims

Capacity and vulnerability disputes

Court of Protection, attorney and deputy disputes

International and specialist disputes

Each service area is supported by specialist lawyers with deep technical expertise and practical experience.

Who we act for

We act for a wide range of clients, including:

individuals and families
beneficiaries and disappointed beneficiaries
executors, administrators and trustees
attorneys and deputies
charities and not-for-profit organisations
professional advisers

Many of our cases involve high-value estates, family businesses, rural landholdings or international assets.

Why choose Hugh James?

Clients choose Hugh James for private wealth disputes because of our:

Specialist expertise

A dedicated private wealth disputes team with national recognition.

Experience in complex cases

Including high-value estates, cross-border disputes and sensitive family matters.

Pragmatic approach

Focused on solutions, not unnecessary conflict.

Robust representation

When litigation is unavoidable, we act decisively to protect our clients.

Clear, supportive advice

We explain complex legal issues in plain English and guide clients through difficult decisions.

Our lawyers are consistently recognised in leading legal directories for their work in contentious trusts and estates.

Roman Kubiak is described by a client as “tremendously capable, he knows what he is doing. He’s a national figure.” Another source adds: “Roman is exceptionally knowledgeable, he is very pragmatic and very solution-oriented.”

Chambers & Partners

A natural and dynamic leader’, the ‘very impressive’ Roman Kubiak heads the firm’s Private Wealth Disputes team and is noted for his ‘deep knowledge of estates and trusts law’.

The Legal 500

Costs and funding

We understand that cost is an important consideration in any dispute. We provide clear, transparent advice on costs at the outset and throughout your case.

Depending on the nature of the dispute, funding options may include:

hourly-rate arrangements
fixed fees for defined stages
conditional or staged funding
deferred payment in appropriate cases

We will always discuss funding options openly and honestly.

Early advice can make a critical difference

Many private wealth disputes are time-sensitive. Acting early can:

preserve assets
prevent irreversible decisions
strengthen your position
reduce overall costs

If you are concerned about a will, estate, trust or family asset, we encourage you to seek advice as soon as possible.

Key contact

Roman Kubiak TEP

Partner

Roman Kubiak is a Partner and Head of the market leading Private Wealth Disputes team.

He advises across the whole spectrum of private wealth disputes, with a particular focus on high value, complex and cross-border disputes including: trust disputes, breach of trust claims and applications to remove trustees; will disputes, particularly those with an international element; claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975; and claims for equitable relief under proprietary estoppel, constructive trusts and resulting trusts.

Yes. We offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation.

In many cases we’re able to offer a range of flexible pricing options including “no win, no fee” agreements, fixed fees and deferred payment arrangements depending on each case.

Some cases may also be suitable for “After the Event” insurance funding which provide cover for the cost of disbursements such as court and expert fees as well as protecting you from any potential adverse costs order.

We’re a top 100, full-service law firm with offices in England and Wales. Our team of solicitors has over 50 years’ experience in contesting wills and defending will disputes and is top ranked by both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, the leading legal directories, with a number our solicitors being ranked as leading individuals.

Our solicitors have also gained specific industry accreditations through STEP (formerly the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) and Solicitors for the Elderly.

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Next steps

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Private wealth disputes

Private wealth disputes legal advice

Specialist advice across contested wills, trusts and estates

Free initial consultation