Kerry Morgan-Gould > Ashfords LLP > Exeter, England > Lawyer Profile

Ashfords LLP Offices

Ashfords LLP
ASHFORD HOUSE
GRENADIER ROAD
EXETER
EX1 3LH
England
Visit website 01392 337000

Kerry Morgan-Gould

Kerry Morgan-Gould photo
01392 334154 [email protected]

Work Department

Private Wealth; Trusts & Estates, Dispute Resolution

Position

Partner and Head of the Trusts & Estates team

Career

Kerry is a Partner and Head of the Trusts & Estates Team.

She advises private individuals, charities and trustees in relation to all matters arising out of contentious Wills, Trusts and Estates. In addition, Kerry also advises clients in relation to contentious Court of Protection matters.

Kerry regularly advises clients in relation to challenges to the validity of a Will or Trust Instrument. She also advises on will construction and rectification claims and claims against personal representatives and trustees regarding their performance, including applications for their removal and replacement.

Kerry also frequently advises on claims for financial provision from an estate pursuant to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, proprietary estoppel claims, claims in relation to lifetime transactions on the basis that they are void for lack of capacity, undue influence or fraud and professional negligence claims relating to Trusts and Estates.

Kerry regularly delivers training on the latest developments in the sector and is an accomplished conference speaker. Externally, Kerry is recognised by Legal 500 and it is commented that she is “experienced and gutsy” and “extremely knowledgeable in the area of contentious probate’, dealing with matters ‘timeously and with precision and expertise’. Kerry is also a full member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (“ACTAPS”).

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • National charity: Advising the charity in relation to a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 by the Deceased’s adult child.
  • Private client: Acting on behalf of a residuary beneficiary in relation to a probate action which included allegations of fraud and undue influence surrounding the preparation and execution of the Deceased’s Will.
  • Private client: Acting on behalf of the deceased’s disabled wife in relation to a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 in an estate worth in excess of £3 million. The matter also included a successful application to bring the claim out of time.
  • Private client: Acting on behalf of an executor in relation to an application to remove a co-executor.
  • Private client: Acting on behalf of the Deputies of a Protected Person in connection with a claim against a family member for the misappropriation of the Protected Persons assets.

Lawyer Rankings

South West > Private client > Charities and not-for-profit

(Leading partners)

Kerry Morgan-Gould – Ashfords LLP

Situated within the firm’s disputed wills and trusts team, Ashfords LLP‘s practice covers charity litigation and legacy disputes as well as non-contentious matters such as governance, compliance and real estate. Head of private wealth Michael Alden jointly helms the charities team together with two other key partners: Kerry Morgan-Gould, who also leads the firm’s contentious charities group, as well as head of disputed wills and trusts Robert Horsey. Disputes within the third sector are also a core part of Barny Croft‘s advisory portfolio.

South West > Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate

Regional and local business and property owners, farmers, and trustees frequently instruct Ashfords LLP to handle complex trust administration and will drafting, as well as inheritance and capital gains tax planning. The team is particularly well versed in advising on the administration of landed and farming business estates, with Michael Alden standing out for his extensive knowledge of agricultural property matters. Alden co-heads the practice with Kerry Morgan-Gould, who stands out for her expertise in trust matters. Inheritance tax planning expert Michael Westbrook joined the team from Thrings LLP in August 2023, while Tom Biddick left the firm in April 2023.

South West > Private client > Contentious trusts and probate

(Leading partners)

Kerry Morgan-Gould – Ashfords LLP

Ashfords LLP‘s multidisciplinary private wealth team is highly capable of handling the full range of will and trust disputes, representing high-net-worth individuals, as well as charities in 1975 Act claims, proprietary estoppel disputes, and disputes between trustees and beneficiaries, among others. The team is jointly led by Robert Horsey, an experienced trust and property litigation expert, Kerry Morgan-Gould, who is noted for her expertise in contentious charity and estate matters, and Michael Alden, who heads up the firm’s broader private wealth offering. Barny Croft stands out for his ability to handle complex disputes, including claims for executor removals and high-value inheritance claims. Katie Webber extends the team’s expertise to encompass contested Court of Protection applications and capacity assessments.

London > Private client > Charities and not-for-profit

Ashfords LLP fields an active charity legacy disputes team. It acts for a large number of third-sector organisations, including some national charities. The group has particular strength in advising on estate administration, and in providing valuable reputational guidance to its clients. Key members of the practice include Michael Alden, John Toth, and Robert Horsey. Kerry Morgan-Gould is another significant figure who continues to represent various national household name charities, and a number of smaller local charities, on complex and high-value cases.

Lawyer Rankings

Top Tier Firm Rankings

Firm Rankings