Laura is a Partner in the Disputed Wills and Trusts team, heading up the Birmingham region. She deals with disputes relating to Wills, Trusts, and Estates. Drawing praise for the calm and considered approach to her work, Laura has a wide range of experience spanning nearly 20 years in her field.
She has expertise in particular in:
- claims regarding the validity of Wills;
- claims for financial provision pursuant to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975;
- resolving disputes between executors and trustees, including seeking their removal;
- claims relating to professional negligence in Will preparation or Estate administration; and
- rectification and construction claims.
Laura is a full member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the global professional association for those advising in private client work. She has also completed the ACTAPS education course for contentious trusts and probate practitioners and is a member of ConTra, the Contentious Trusts Association.
Client feedback
“Laura has a proactive approach and exceptional communication skills.”
“Laura has a very client focused and supportive approach.”
“Laura’s preparation, handling of clients, pragmatism and ability to handle clients is superb.”
“Laura is utterly brilliant.”
‘My experience has been positive, and issues, including complex ones, have been dealt with quickly and efficiently.”
Professional highlights
· I successfully acted for the defendant in Proles v Kohli [2018] EWHC 767 (Ch) on the preliminary issue relating to the domicile of the deceased for the purposes of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
· I acted for the claimant in the pre-action stages of Kunicki v Hayward [2016] EWHC 3199 (Ch) in relation to the validity of a Will.
· I successfully acting for a client in an application for specific performance of a contract to leave property by will through High Court proceedings.
· I secured rectification of a will in High Court proceedings.
· I secured a declaration of invalidity of a deed of variation following a three-day trial.
· I successfully sought the removal of an executor following his failure to complete the administration of an estate for more than 10 years.
· I acted for a litigation friend and achieved a settlement in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 brought by an adult child of the deceased, which required court approval on behalf of a minor residuary beneficiary.
· I achieved a settlement in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for an adult child claimant with financial need arising from medical issues.