Partner, Wills, Trusts & Estate Disputes
My contact details
Department
My awards and achievements
Tom is the Joint Head of the Contentious Trusts and Probate Team, specialising in a wide range of complex disputed matters. Tom started at Forbes in 2018 and has specialised in contentious trusts and probate for around 8 years. Tom is a full member of ACTAPS and has been recognised as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in the Legal 500 since 2021, and as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in this year’s rankings.
Tom’s areas of expertise cover:
Claims for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
Disputes over the validity of Wills
Trust interpretation and rectification disputes
Breach of trust and maladministration
Trusts of Land and estoppel disputes
Tom has a proven track record of successfully resolving high-value and complex disputes through alternative dispute resolution and managing claims to an outcome at trial. Where appropriate, Tom conducts his own advocacy, including successfully for a claimant in an Inheritance Act claim following a 3-day trial. Tom works with specialist counsel to ensure the client benefits from the highest level of expertise.
Tom’s approach is to build a strong rapport with the client through understanding their aim and approach, whilst being clear and pragmatic in his advice. Tom is determined to achieve the best outcome possible for the client’s particular position. This approach has been passed on to various members of the team and has contributed significantly to the growth of the department. Over the past 12 months through Tom and John’s leadership and business development, they have continued to increase instructions on high value and complex matters across the team, and decreasing instructions on lower value estates to ensure cost proportionality is at the forefront of each case.
Tom at Forbes was extremely good. He explained the complexity of the case, the chances of success and was always available for advice. Thanks to him we obtained an out of court settlement and righted a wrong, which is always a good thing. I could not be happier with Forbes.
Mr Mitchell
I would like to personally thank Tom Howcroft for his fantastic approach and support on my case, I would highly recommend him to anyone who may need help with a similar sensitive issue. He was professional but also had a personal and reassuring nature that made him very approachable and it really felt that he cared about his work. I felt he really went the extra mile in his service, and I hope that his manager can be passed this information for him to get the deserved recognition. Sincere thanks again.
Ms Reilly
Tom Howcroft is fantastic to work with, focused, and has a very commercial approach which is not easy to find in this area of law.
Legal 500
I used Forbes solicitors to help in a probate dispute and the help and advice I received from Tom was very informative and helpful the matter was resolved efficiently and as quickly as it could. A very highly professional company who I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. Thank you for a very professional and friendly service.
Mrs Beetham
We would like to say a big thank you to Sarah Corbridge/Tom Howcroft for all their work. They were very professional, courteous, understanding and thoughtful of what we were going through. Handled our case with respect. They got us the result we wanted at a good price. We would have no problem recommending Forbes Solicitors to anyone we know. Everything was handled online e-mail and phone we never even left our home. So thankyou very much once again.
Veronica & Malcolm
From start to finish, we received sound advice and a proactive approach. We cannot fault the work, the insight and care given by Forbes.
Josie
My family and I instructed Tom Howcroft and Forbes Solicitors to help us retrieve the value of a property.
Forbes at all times acted with dignity, full understanding of the law, a focus on the outcome and adapted to any of the opposing party's latest deflections. The outcome was successful; my family were pleased.James
I had disputes with my late wife's family over my mother-in-law's estate, which was shared with my late wife. The matter was dealt with professionally and with kindness.
Leanne
I cannot recommend Tom Howcroft highly enough. He understood my case straight away and that I wanted as quick a settlement as possible because of my age and the stress I was under. He not only achieved an extremely successful outcome for me but did so in a relatively short period of time which was such a relief to me and my family. Tom is an exceptional Solicitor and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.
Julie
Tom Howcroft provided us with an amazing service. He is available, listens and gives very clear, astute and helpful advice. He took our case on a no win no fee basis - and won a settlement which, without him, would never have been possible. Thank you Tom. Highly recommend.
Raphael
Tom has been thoroughly professional at all times and helped me achieve my financial settlement and more, his expertise and guidance has made this possible and you get what you pay for so thank you Tom, would highly recommend Tom
Linda