Ella Coles

Paralegal
Wills, Probate and Disputed Estates

Contact Ella

  • "Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady, calming presence, instils confidence in the most highly-strung of us clients. With her masterful knowledge of the law, old and new, and its application, Jan can navigate through the most complex of cases to a successful end."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "I find Osbornes’ client-friendly approach welcoming and refreshing"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "A medium-sized London firm dealing with big litigation and doing it extremely well because of a depth of expertise and experience."

    Legal 500 2021

  • My family had the pleasure of Jan Atkinson working with us on the will and probate issues of [my mother's] estate in Camden and Ireland after she passed on last year. Jan and her assistant(s) offered us a fantastic service at a sad time.

    Client Review

  • "Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"

    Legal 500 2021 - Jan Atkinson

  • The team is very caring, experienced and detailed and was clear about the  next steps and offered very helpful advice and suggestions

    Legal 500

  • Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

  • A small but formidable team, punching above its weight. Jan Atkinson is a seasoned pro. Approachable but no push-over

    Legal 500 2020 - Jan Atkinson

  • "They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."

    Chambers UK

  • "Elspeth Neilson is very reliable and practical."

    The Legal 500

  • "The team frequently deals with cross-border estates for high–net-worth individuals."

    The Legal 500

  • "The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."

    Chambers UK

  • "Service prompt and effective. I have absolute confidence in Maggie."

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • I am happy with the service that I got and would recommend you to other potential clients.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • I found Osbornes always very helpful and efficient.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • We are very pleased with the services of Osbornes. Highly professional and through with close attention to detail.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • I would highly recommend Jan Atkinson in any probate matter and Osbornes Solicitors in any other legal matters.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • Jan Atkinson is a very proficient lady whom I would highly recommend to anyone involved in probates.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • Thanks for all your work and explaining everything so clearly. For any legal matters in the future I would not hesitate in instructing Osbornes.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • We have found your service to date as the most informative we have come across.

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates Client

  • Jan Atkinson is confident with a straightforward approach. Her practice covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, including wealth planning and estate administration.

    Chambers UK

  • I would like to thank everyone in my case for the excellent job!

    Wills, Probate & Disputed Estates client

Wills & Probate Insights VIEW ALL

  1. eu flags
    26.4.2023

    German Court Rules on EU Succession Regulation

    Succession laws vary from country to country which historically made the administration of cross-border estates potentially complex. Since 17 August 2015, the...

    Read more
  2. couple holding hands
    16.3.2023

    Are trusts protected from divorce?

    Can trusts protect an inheritance from your spouse? A trust is a separate legal entity. Neither spouse owns its assets. ...

    Read more
  3. the moon
    1.3.2023

    How to prevent someone contesting a will

    It is fairly rare in my experience for a parent to write a child out of their will but that...

    Read more
  4. primrose hill london
    8.2.2023

    Gifting Property to Children

    Can I gift property to my children? Gifting a property to your adult children is a relatively complex transaction but...

    Read more
  5. house in regents park london
    15.11.2022

    Contentious Probate Case Studies

    Contentious probate involving business assets Osbornes Law acts for the defendants to a claim issued to pronounce in favour of...

    Read more
  6. Closeup of a hand signing
    2.8.2022

    Do you need to register your trust?

    The Trust Register was introduced in 2017 as part of anti-money laundering regulations. Previously, only trusts with a UK tax liability...

    Read more
  7. Businessman and Male lawyer or judge consult having team meeting with client, Law and Legal services concept
    19.7.2022

    Beware of appointing your children as executors

    Where tensions exist between family members, making your children the executors of your will can cause huge problems with probate,...

    Read more
  8. money in different currencies
    19.1.2022

    Does your will deal with cross-border assets?

    If you own assets in more than one country, it’s important to make a robust Will that deals effectively...

    Read more
  9. 1.1.2022

    Married with children from a previous relationship – how...

    There are several ways of doing this. If there are sufficient assets apart from the family home, it may be...

    Read more
  10. Elderly woman hold smartphone feels disappointed by received bad news
    18.11.2021

    Family Tensions and Deputyship 

    Disputes between a deputy and the family of the individual concerned, can escalate and become increasingly distressing if issues are...

    Read more
  11. 18.11.2021

    Particularly sensitive issues around mental capacity

    Mental capacity, the right to sex and the carer’s risk of prosecution  Does everyone have the right to a...

    Read more
  12. Woman signing document
    25.10.2021

    Inheritance Claims CFA Success Fee Judgment

    The Court of Appeal upholds the recoverability of CFA success fees in 1975 Act claims. An individual who claims reasonable provision...

    Read more
  13. scrap metal
    20.10.2021

    Evidence Needed When Contesting A Will

    ‘Scrap King’ Multi-million Inheritance Dispute Confirms the High Standard of Evidence Needed to Contest a Will   Gary Goodwin, son of...

    Read more
  14. inheritance tax form
    20.10.2021

    Dispute Surrounding Interpretation of Will

    The ‘nil rate band’ offers an incentive to testators to make their will in a tax-efficient manner, maximising the amount...

    Read more
  15. fraud file
    20.10.2021

    Handwriting Expert Witness Concludes Will Forgery

    It’s not unheard of for an individual to forge someone’s will with the aim of securing an inheritance....

    Read more
  16. couple holding hands
    20.10.2021

    Understanding Testamentary Capacity

    What is testamentary capacity? Testamentary capacity refers to a person’s ability, both legally and mentally, to create a valid...

    Read more
  17. 17.9.2021

    Funding of Probate disputes

    Contentious Probate can be very expensive and clients often find it difficult to find the money to cover their legal...

    Read more
  18. separate paths in the snow
    10.9.2021

    Does Divorce Revoke A Will?

    Divorce and Wills In the midst of a divorce or separation, it’s rare for couples to think about making...

    Read more
  19. probate lawyer scrabble
    7.9.2021

    Dealing with Debts as an Executor

    Do your debts die with you? It is a common misconception that a person’s debts die with them. After...

    Read more
  20. hat on back shelf of car
    13.8.2021

    What is reasonable financial provision in 1975 Act claims?

    The long-running and high-profile case of Ilott v Mitson [2017] UKSC 17 has finally come to an end with the decision of...

    Read more
  21. 6.7.2021

    Beware of setting up unnecessary trusts for children

    Parents making a will should beware of setting up unnecessary trusts for their children which could see them paying more...

    Read more
  22. zoom call
    18.3.2021

    How to have your will witnessed remotely by...

    Our specialist Wills solicitors can help clients with their Will requirements during this health crisis. Giving your solicitor ‘remote’ instructions...

    Read more
  23. 27.11.2020

    How to prevent a loved one entrusting their...

    Record numbers of us entrust our finances to loved ones, with over 800,000 Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) registered yearly, according...

    Read more
  24. older lady
    9.10.2020

    Undue Influence in Wills

    Vigilance Needed to Protect Those Vulnerable to Undue Influence The coronavirus pandemic has left many elderly and vulnerable people increasingly...

    Read more

VIEW ALL

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    Accreditations

    • Times best law firms 2023
    • Spears 500 logo
    • legal 500 leading firm
    • chambers logo
    • Chambers & Partners High Net Worth ranked individual