A dedicated contentious probate and trusts team at Ashtons Legal covers the gamut of matters and is applauded for having ‘great strength and depth in the team with an excellent mix of experience at all levels’. At the firm’s Ipswich office, practice head Polly Stephenson has more than a decade’s experience specialising in contentious probate and trusts work, forging a strong reputation for advice to both claimants and defendants, and both executors and beneficiaries in claims under the inheritance act. Joanna Baker is a more junior partner to note, also focusing solely on this area. At the Norwich office, Gino Ballestracci bolsters the offering with broad skills in dispute resolution.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘My experience of this is that they have been excellent. Communication has been good, the work has been thorough and the advice given crystal clear. The people have been easily approachable and I feel my legal rights have been well looked after.’
‘The whole team work as one and are all able to assist you at any time. Excellent service.’
‘Polly Stephenson went above and beyond to assist me with a terrible situation. Polly believed me and was extremely tenacious and kind in equal measures. Could not fault her in any aspect. She kept me informed of everything which she was working towards and asked my permission for her to continue prior. To find a solicitor like Polly was an absolute godsend in such a terrible situation as that which I found myself in.’
‘Joanna Baker made the whole process go with ease and had a great way to explain the process in simple terms for those with little experience of the process.’
‘There is great strength and depth in the team with an excellent mix of experience at all levels.’
‘Polly Stephenson is a tenacious advocate for her clients. She has great empathy and is brilliant at supporting clients through the difficult litigation journey.’
Work highlights
Advising the children of a deceased testator whose will left the significant proportion of his multi million pound estate to his wife “absolutely” but subject to an obligation upon her to pay the rental income to his children and other beneficiaries, and to allow others a right of occupation.
Advising a beneficiary in relation to their late father’s estate where a non-regulated will-writer had executed a will despite the testator suffering from cognitive impairment and had included a discretionary will trust and a letter of wishes under which the beneficiary could only be set to receive 1% of the residual trust fund.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Joanna Baker
Practice head
Polly Stephenson
Other key lawyers
Joanna Baker; Gino Ballestracci