Private Wealth Disputes
Our private wealth disputes team are experts at resolving complex inheritance disputes for high-net-worth families.
Recognition for our work
Recognition for our work
Protecting wealth, relationships and legacy
Disputes involving estates, trusts and family wealth are rarely just legal matters. Private wealth disputes can affect family relationships, business interests and wealth that has been built over generations. Our role is to help you protect your legal position while considering the wider personal and commercial issues that matter to you. From the outset, Forbes Solicitors focus on giving you clarity, control and the confidence that comes from having experienced specialists on your side.
At Forbes Solicitors, we advise individuals, families, trustees, executors and business owners on resolving complex private wealth disputes with confidence and clarity. Whether you're seeking to protect your inheritance, defend your position or resolve a trust dispute, we help protect family wealth, relationships and your legacy, guiding you through sensitive disputes efficiently and professionally.
Our private wealth disputes team regularly advise on multi-million-pound matters, acting for individuals, families and trustees across the UK and internationally. Our expertise spans the full spectrum of contentious trusts and estates work, from inheritance and will disputes to complex trust, Court of Protection and financial abuse claims.
Types of Private Wealth Disputes We Handle
We provide specialist advice across all types of private wealth disputes including:
Inheritance Act Claims: When someone has been left without reasonable financial provision, or an estate is challenged, expert early legal advice is essential. We help individuals bring or defend claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act to protect generational wealth ensuring fair distribution while protecting other beneficiaries.
Will Disputes: Questions over the validity of a will can be legally and emotionally complex. Whether concerns relate to lack of capacity, suspected undue influence, fraud or the preparation of the will. We'll help you to understand your options and take action to protect your legacy.
Trust Disputes: Trusts are often established to preserve wealth for future generations. When disagreements arise between trustees, beneficiaries or other interested parties over the management or distribution of the trust, trustees act in breach of their duty or fail fiduciary responsibilities, we provide strategic advice to protect assets and resolve disputes efficiently to safeguard the trust.
Executor and Trustee Disputes: Executors and trustees carry significant responsibilities and disagreements can quickly become complex. We advise executors, trustees and beneficiaries facing challenges on resolving disputes fairly while protecting estates, trusts and those responsible for managing them, mitigating risks for estate administration and fiduciary duties.
Proprietary Estoppel and Other Complex Claims: When long standing promises or expectations about property, land or family wealth are disputed, the legal issues can be complex. We help clients to navigate proprietary estoppel and other specialist claims to resolve conflicts before litigation escalates.
Types of Private Wealth Disputes We Handle
We provide specialist advice across all types of private wealth disputes including:
Inheritance Act Claims: When someone has been left without reasonable financial provision, or an estate is challenged, expert early legal advice is essential. We help individuals bring or defend claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act to protect generational wealth ensuring fair distribution while protecting other beneficiaries.
Will Disputes: Questions over the validity of a will can be legally and emotionally complex. Whether concerns relate to lack of capacity, suspected undue influence, fraud or the preparation of the will. We'll help you to understand your options and take action to protect your legacy.
Trust Disputes: Trusts are often established to preserve wealth for future generations. When disagreements arise between trustees, beneficiaries or other interested parties over the management or distribution of the trust, trustees act in breach of their duty or fail fiduciary responsibilities, we provide strategic advice to protect assets and resolve disputes efficiently to safeguard the trust.
Executor and Trustee Disputes: Executors and trustees carry significant responsibilities and disagreements can quickly become complex. We advise executors, trustees and beneficiaries facing challenges on resolving disputes fairly while protecting estates, trusts and those responsible for managing them, mitigating risks for estate administration and fiduciary duties.
Proprietary Estoppel and Other Complex Claims: When long standing promises or expectations about property, land or family wealth are disputed, the legal issues can be complex. We help clients to navigate proprietary estoppel and other specialist claims to resolve conflicts before litigation escalates.
Who Can We Help
Private wealth disputes affect a wide range of individuals, we regularly advise:
High-net-worth individuals and families with complex estates
Business owners and entrepreneurs
Executors and personal representatives
Trustees and professional trustees
Beneficiaries
Charities involved in estate disputes
Whatever your role, we'll provide advice tailored to your circumstances and focus on protecting your interests.
Who Can We Help
Private wealth disputes affect a wide range of individuals, we regularly advise:
High-net-worth individuals and families with complex estates
Business owners and entrepreneurs
Executors and personal representatives
Trustees and professional trustees
Beneficiaries
Charities involved in estate disputes
Whatever your role, we'll provide advice tailored to your circumstances and focus on protecting your interests.
Why choose Forbes Solicitors to Protect Your Wealth?
Private wealth disputes require more than technical legal knowledge. They require sound judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to navigate sensitive family dynamics. Our team combines specialist litigation expertise with a practical, strategic approach focused on protecting your long term interests.
We'll help you understand your options, minimise unnecessary conflict and provide robust representation when your interests need protecting. Throughout the process, our focus is helping you protect your wealth and your future with confidence.
Our Approach
The private wealth dispute team understand that inheritance disputes are often sensitive and complex, particularly for high-net-worth individuals with substantial assets and complex estates. Each case is different which is why we begin by understanding your circumstances and wider issues that could affect the outcome.
Where possible, we'll seek to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation, helping to preserve relationships and minimise unnecessary costs. If court proceedings become necessary, our experienced litigators will act decisively to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcome.
Our approach combines:
Early risk assessment to prevent escalation
Strategic negotiation to preserve family relationships and wealth
Litigation expertise if disputes cannot be resolved amicably
Tailored private wealth advice for business succession, multi-jurisdictional estates and complex trust.
We guide our clients every step of the way, ensuring clarity, discretion and a practical route to resolution.
Our Approach
The private wealth dispute team understand that inheritance disputes are often sensitive and complex, particularly for high-net-worth individuals with substantial assets and complex estates. Each case is different which is why we begin by understanding your circumstances and wider issues that could affect the outcome.
Where possible, we'll seek to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation, helping to preserve relationships and minimise unnecessary costs. If court proceedings become necessary, our experienced litigators will act decisively to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcome.
Our approach combines:
Early risk assessment to prevent escalation
Strategic negotiation to preserve family relationships and wealth
Litigation expertise if disputes cannot be resolved amicably
Tailored private wealth advice for business succession, multi-jurisdictional estates and complex trust.
We guide our clients every step of the way, ensuring clarity, discretion and a practical route to resolution.
Forbes has a knowledgeable team that provides advice that is always tailored to clients' needs.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth - Private Wealth Disputes Respondent
The team work very closely with each other and counsel. The lines of communication are always open.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth - Private Wealth Disputes Respondent
My contentious probate case is quite sensitive and complex, but Forbes Solicitors are extremely knowledgeable and have guided me through this whole process with confidence.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth - Private Wealth Disputes Respondent
Tom is very level-headed, knows the law inside out and delivers what the client wants.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth - Private Wealth Disputes Respondent
I cannot speak highly enough of Tom Howcroft. As well as his exceptional expertise, skill and knowledge, he also cared very much about me and my family.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth - Private Wealth Disputes Respondent
Tom is a very strong lawyer with a good grasp of the realities of litigation.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth - Private Wealth Disputes Respondent
Tom is a fantastic lawyer to work with as he is very commercially aware, likeable and easy to build a strong relationship with.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth - Private Wealth Disputes Respondent
Our dedicated Private Wealth Disputes Team
Protect What Matters Most
Our private wealth team is here to provide clear, strategic advice tailored to your circumstances. Contact the team today to arrange a confidential conversation.
0800 689 3206 - Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Private Wealth dispute FAQs
Can a will be challenged if I think a beneficiary was unfairly favoured?
Yes. Our team advises on all types of contested wills, including claims under the Inheritance Act, and helps protect your interests while seeking an equitable outcome.
How can trustees avoid disputes over trusts?
Proper documentation, clear communication with beneficiaries, and professional administration reduce risk. We can review and restructure trusts to avoid conflicts.
What steps can I take if I’m a beneficiary or executor facing a potential dispute?
Contact a specialist early. Our private wealth disputes team provides practical guidance on negotiation, risk management and litigation if required.