Praised as a ‘first-class team with genuine specialism in this field’, Aaron & Partners LLP in Chester has a seasoned private client team that advises on the full range of contentious trusts and probate work. James Wallace leads the wills, trusts, and estates team, and he has extensive experience with both contentious and non-contentious private client work, with particular expertise in high-value claims and cross-border matters. He is also increasingly instructed in contentious probate settlements that failed to take into account tax implications. Another key lawyer is the ’exceptional' Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu, who has particular expertise with complex Inheritance Act claims, executorship disputes, and proprietary estoppel issues, and is also frequently sought after by agricultural clients.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘James Wallace stands out in terms of the quickness and efficiency of responses. James listens to the client and is empathetic to their needs.’

  • ‘All the meetings and dealings that I have had have been professional and knowledgeable, which has inspired trust and confidence in them.’

  • ‘Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu has been exceptional. He has inspired trust, faith and confidence in his abilities to achieve the outcome I am seeking. He takes time to explain the more technical and legal terms, which has been very helpful.’

  • ‘Very professional team and company.’

  • ‘Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu has been very professional. Knowledgeable advice given too.'

  • ‘Genuinely acting for my interests, giving balanced advice, clarity of vision and finding solutions with complex and difficult situations.'

  • 'Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu has a measured approach, applying a clever style for maximum impact which works better than a 'guns blazing' manner. He remains confident, professional and assertive in a highly emotional situation for the client.'

  • ‘A first-class team with genuine specialism in this field.’

Work highlights

  • Assisting the long standing partner of the deceased, whose estate is valued at approximately £35m, with pursuing proprietary estoppel and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims.
  • Assisted the client with successfully securing an order to prove the deceased’s last will, executed a few hours before his untimely death, whose agricultural estate was valued at approximately £1.5m.
  • Acting for the deceased’s spouse and sole beneficiary in setting aside a transfer of private company shares worth over £400,000 on the grounds of equitable mistake, undue influence, and breach of fiduciary duty by the deceased’s son and executor.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James Wallace

Other key lawyers

Vlad Macdonald-Munteanu