Cumbrian legal firm shortlisted for national law award
August 28th 2025A Cumbrian legal firm has achieved national recognition after being named as a finalist in the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors is shortlisted for the best Contentious Wills & Probate team (Boutique) at the awards which celebrate legal excellence across the country. Rebecca Armstrong, who is Head of Will and Inheritance Disputes at Cartmell Shepherd, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for our specialist expertise in…
Alarming Increase in Inheritance Disputes
August 19th 2025Recent data reveals an unprecedented surge in inheritance disputes across England and Wales. In the final quarter of 2024 alone, the Probate Registry received 3,061 applications to enter a ‘caveat’ – a legal mechanism that halts the granting of probate to allow claims to be investigated. This figure marks a historic high, reflecting a dramatic 56% increase in caveat applications over the past five years, rising from 7,268 in 2019…
Latest Legal Update on Contesting Wills
April 14th 2025If you’re involved in a Will dispute or wondering about the steps you can take to challenge a Will, the recent High Court decision in Addison & Anor v Niaz [2024] EWHC 3124 (Fam) is an important one to understand. It shines a spotlight on Larke v Nugus requests — a powerful tool that helps clarify whether a will was created properly and fairly. Below we’ll break down what this…
Pop star made a Will before major operation – but was it valid?
February 12th 2025Pop star Max George has described how he made his Will on his iPhone just before undergoing a lifesaving operation to have a pacemaker fitted. Rebecca Armstrong, Associate Solicitor, reports on this recent case. Thankfully, the operation was a complete success, and he is now in good health. Max, who has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, said he thought of his girlfriend, actress Maisie Smith, 23, and his family and…
Wife awarded £45k after challenging her estranged husband’s Will
January 10th 2025A wife who was estranged from her husband has been awarded £45,000 from his estate after successfully challenging his Will. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. The High Court ruled that Jacqueline Syder, who remained legally married to her late husband, Calogero Palmeri, was entitled to financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The court heard that the couple married in 2011 after…
