Helping you through a farm inheritance dispute

Farms and agricultural land are often involved in inheritance disputes. Unfortunately the disputes are often complicated further by the emotional strain of a farm being run as family enterprise.

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Don't let a lack of clear succession planning create disputes with your farm and family.

Fortunately our expert team has experience in dealing with disputes involving the inheritance of family farms. Here at RWK Goodman we pride ourselves on being able to resolve disputes efficiently, and with sensitivity.

Broken promises?

Many cases involve allegations of broken promises in relation to inheritance of the family farm, by a family member who may have spent many years working at the farm. Family members may claim that, as a result of the promise made, they continued to work at the farm, on an unfavorable basis, merely due to the expectation of inheriting the farm one day.

Our team has acted for individuals who feel they have unreasonably lost out on their inheritance, despite promises made to them and many years of hard work at the farm.

Protecting their wishes

We have also acted for many landowners and estates where there is a challenge to what has been set out in a will. We seek to protect the freedom of the landowner or their chosen beneficiaries, when claims have been made. For us this is all about respecting the wishes of  the owner of the land (whether deceased or not) and we can support you in relation to claims made, including in a defence of a will.

Doing what is best for the farm and the family’s future

Inheritance disputes can be difficult to resolve, particularly given that they may involve splitting up the family farm in order to reach an agreement.

Our team is conscious that most families wish the farm to continue and be passed down through the generations. We will therefore work hard with you to consider alternative solutions, such as settlement negotiations and mediation. We hope this enables constructive discussions, which help resolve the matter and limit legal costs.

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Our credentials

“Amanda Noyce (Band 4) is head of the inheritance and trusts disputes department in Bath. An interviewee describes her as “very approachable and understanding,” adding: “I couldn’t recommend her highly enough. She is very thorough with her investigations and covers all angles.”

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Chambers, UK-wide
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“RWK Goodman ‘achieves good results for its clients time and time again’. Amanda Noyce ‘is unflappable’ in Court of Protection applications involving mental capacity issues, as well as Inheritance Act, tax and professional negligence matters.”

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Legal 500, South West
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Mike Muston is “highly recommended” by independent legal directory The Legal 500, who added that he “gives excellent and fair advice“. His team is also recommended by The Legal 500 as it “achieves good results for its clients time and time again.”

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Calum Campbell has been recognised by Chambers and Partners UK as an Associate to Watch. According to an independent source “he is very thorough, commercially minded and pragmatic,” while another commends him for being an “extraordinarily approachable, down-to-earth and engaging man.”

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faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any time limits that may affect my claim?

The time limits that may affect your claim will depend on the type of claim you are looking to bring. Some claims have strict time limits, which may be as short as 6 months after a Grant is obtained from the Probate Registry. However, even if your claim is not subject to a strict time limit, you will want to make sure that the property you are claiming against remains safe and secure. For this reason, whatever the nature of your claim, we recommend getting in touch with us as soon as possible to protect your position.

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

We like to consider each case before we meet with prospective clients. This aims to ensure that you do not need to pay for unnecessary fees, should we feel that there is not a case worth pursuing.

Please complete the enquiry form, providing us with as much detail as possible. We will then aim to get back to you within 24 hours with a response. We are also happy to have a short no obligation phone conversation with you, in order to understand the case further and advise on the next steps to be taken.

How long will the dispute last?

Some can last just a few weeks, but others may, unfortunately, take many months to resolve. Whatever your circumstances, we take an active approach and look for practical solutions to help settle a case as quickly as possible. We’ll treat every case as sensitively and efficiently as possible, always focusing on the best interests of our clients. By aiming to settle your case well before trial, we’ll hopefully save you time, stress and money.

How much will the dispute cost and how will it be funded?

Once we have considered your case we can provide you with advice about the anticipated costs and the options of funding that are available. Your funding options may include:

  • Funding the costs yourself
  • Funding the costs through your legal expenses insurer
  • Funding through a “no win no fee” agreement

Whatever your situation, we’ll make sure to keep you fully informed every step of the way. We try and settle just about every case before it comes to trial, which keeps costs to a minimum and ensures you have as much control over any agreement reached as possible.

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