Contentious Probate, Elderly Client Abuse & Court of Protection

Bell & Buxton has a highly experienced team specialising in the field of financial abuse of elderly and vulnerable people. This is a highly complicated area of law which requires specialist input as early as possible.  For further information please see our Financial Abuse of the Elderly factsheet.

We are also able to advise on disputed Wills, disputes arising in the course of the administration of a deceased person’s estate, in the administration of a trust, and in relation to claims made against an estate.  For further information see our Contentious Probate factsheet.

A person who is mentally incapable may still have a number of financial and other affairs which need to be looked after. The Court of Protection exists to oversee matters such as these, and Bell & Buxton offers unrivalled expertise in this area of law.  We are also able to help if a Lasting Power of Attorney needs to be registered at the Court or if a dispute has arisen regarding such a Power.
 

Senior Partner, Mary Butler, is a Panel Deputy authorised to act for an incapacitated person where no other suitable person can be identified. She was awarded Private Client Lawyer of the Year at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards 2006 and the same award again in 2009.  She is registered as a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and is frequently consulted in contentious probate matters by TV and Radio producers.  Mary appeared recently on BBC Look North and ITV's Tonight programme.

Mary's team includes Alex Watkinson, who is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, and Jane Statham, who is a highly experienced Paralegal.  Alex conducts wide-ranging specialist probate litigation and has written numerous articles on the topic.  Jane specialises in Court of Protection matters and forensic analysis of financial abuse cases.

Examples of our recent experience include:

• a cross-border dispute over a multi-million pound estate;
• appointment of Mary Butler as substitute Personal Representative in a complex family dispute;
• unravelling of a litigated estate involving a number of properties;
• various multi-million pound Inheritance Tax/Constructive Trust/Estoppel claims;
• a professional negligence and rectification claim arising out of the defective drafting of a Will by a will writer;
• a successfully contested application by a third party to remove Bell & Buxton clients as Executors, resulting in a costs order being made in favour of our clients;various high value and complex financial abuse cases, including applications to set aside transfers and gifts on the grounds of invalidity or undue influence.

Please contact:  Mary Butler (0114 220 2161) 
                        Email:  m.butler@bellbuxton.co.uk

                        Alex Watkinson (0114 220 2174) 
                        Email: a.watkinson@bellbuxton.co.uk

                        Jane Statham (0114 220 2185) 
                        Email: j.statham@bellbuxton.co.uk
 

Bell & Buxton on BBC Look North

     BBC Look North recently featured a Contentious Probate case handled by Bell & Buxton - click the camera icon to view the feature.

Bell & Buxton on ITV Tonight

Our Senior Partner, Mary Butler, recently featured on ITV Tonight's Will Wars - Mary was asked to help with the making of the programme because of her recognised expertise in dealing with the most complex cases of disputed wills and estates. See our News section for more information.

Bell & Buxton, Solicitors
Telegraph House, High Street, Sheffield, S1 2GA

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Bell & Buxton is the trading name of Bell & Buxton LLP, a limited liability partnership, registered number OC322707, registered in England. A list of members is open to inspection at the above address.