Expertise

Katie is an Associate in the Private Client team and as part of the Inheritance, Trust and Probate Dispute Resolution team, her practice incorporates both contentious and non-contentious work, with a particular focus on matters where this intersects.

Katie advises on a full range of Private Client matters including Wills and estate planning, administration of complex estates and family trusts and the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney. Drawing on this experience, Katie advises executors, trustees and beneficiaries in respect of disputes arising from Wills and Trusts, including challenges to the validity of Wills, removal of executors or trustees, applications to account for the administration of a trust or estate, and bringing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.

Recent Experience

• Acting for the Personal Representatives (PRs) of the estates of a married couple who died within six months of one another and whose combined assets included a number of properties and shares in the family business. In addition to carrying out the administration of the estates, a challenge to the validity of one of the Wills was successfully defended and an agreement as to the distribution of the estates was agreed at a mediation.
• Administering an estate on behalf of a Court-appointed independent administrator following the removal of the original executors, including ascertaining the true value of the estate, constituting the discretionary trust under the Will, and advising as to the potential claims against the former executors to maximise funds available to the beneficiaries.
• Advising a spouse in respect of an Inheritance Act Claim against her late husband’s £15m estate.
• Acting for the beneficiary of two trusts in respect of an application for rescission on the basis of mistake.

Career History

Katie completed her Training Contract with the firm and qualified into the Private Client team in 2016. She is a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP) having completed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates.