Lawyer becomes Associate Member of ACTAPS

The loss of a loved one is an extremely distressing time for all concerned, and this can be heightened if there are disputes arising from a Will, trust or probate arrangements.  Kirsten Edberg, Private Client Lawyer, has recently joined the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) as an Associate Member to bring the best advice possible to people in Hampshire during this emotional time.

“Unfortunately we are seeing the number of disputed Will and probate claims rise as families become more diverse,” explains Kirsten.  “A common scenario we are seeing is when a parent has been married two or three times and has children from each marriage.  When the parent dies, there may be disputes between the children as to the details of the Will, trust or estate administration.  It is also common for a situation to arise where there is reason to question whether the deceased had the necessary testamentary capacity at the time that they made their Will”.

There are methods to resolve the dispute, all of which Kirsten has experienced.  “The initial steps are negotiation or mediation between the parties, and if neither of these are successful then it could lead to court action.  While we may see similar situations, the families involved and contents of the Will, trust or estate will ultimately vary.  The very nature of contentious probate claims therefore means that every case is different and each resolution brings with it more solutions and learning curves for lawyers like myself helping future families.  This is one reason why I decided to join ACTAPS.”

ACTAPS was formed in 1997 for lawyers specialising in contentious trust and probate work.  “The members of ACTAPS have knowledge in a wide variety of claims from the validity and construction of a Will or a trust, claims brought against an estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 and the removal of Personal Representatives or trustees.  Being able to stay up-to-date with any legislation changes or key cases is invaluable in this area of work, and enables me to offer my clients the best solutions, tailored towards their own dispute.”

If you need advice from Kirsten on any of the issues covered, you can contact her on 01329 222075 or visit their section of the website here.

ENDS

This is for information purposes only and is no substitute for, and should not be interpreted as, legal advice.  All content was correct at the time of publishing and we cannot be held responsible for any changes that may invalidate this article.