Will Dispute Case Law
New Births And New Relationships? Review Your Will To Avoid A Dispute You’d imagine a wealthy businessman with assets...
Read moreKatie is a highly experienced solicitor specialising in Contentious Trusts and Probate matters.
The types of cases Katie deals with include, but are not limited to, applications under the Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, challenging the validity and structure of wills and trusts, claims for breach of trust and disputes arising between executors/trustees, beneficiaries and third parties. These types of disputes give rise to professional negligence claims as well as claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (ToLaTA) which Katie also has wide experience in. Katie undertakes Court of Protection work, such as obtaining Lasting Power of Attorneys and issues arising from the same, Statutory Will applications and making and contesting Deputyship applications.
Many of Katie’s cases involve international elements and cross-border issues. Katie has experience in dealing with various jurisdictions including Scotland, France, Spain and India.
Awards and memberships
Katie is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is a STEP Technician. She is also a member of the ConTra, a Contentious Trusts Association for lawyers and a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). Katie is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and was awarded the SFE Older Client Care Practice Award in November 2020.
Personal Interests
In her spare time Katie enjoys socialising with her family and friends, cooking and travelling.
"Katie de Swarte is extremely client focused and caring and supportive to her clients."
"Elspeth Neilson and Katie de Swarte are very competent private client lawyers, with good instincts for the merits of the case and a good manner with sometimes difficult clients."
"I’ve worked with Elspeth Neilson and Katie de Swarte on various pieces of private client litigation – two in the Court of Protection and one probate dispute. I’ve found them, and the firm, very efficient and capable and dealing successfully with some
difficult clients."
"A capable contested probate team that seems to care. Katie de Swarte is an up and coming star."
“I very much appreciate all your help and support on this. I hope to never have to go through anything so dark again, but you made a huge difference… You're great at what you do and, with my new knowledge of solicitors, I wish there were more with the integrity that you have.”
"I wanted to say a huge thank you for your tremendous help and advice throughout and I am incredibly grateful for your knowledge, support and striving to get us the best outcome possible in this situation. I very much appreciate it. Thank you again for working patiently with us and for your sensitive approach throughout. "
I would highly recommend Katie de Swarte. Her attention to the details of my case, combined with her sensitivity and support, to what was an emotionally challenging and complex legal matter, was much appreciated and excellent. I felt she always listened to what I was saying and never rushed me. She was happy to work with me collaboratively where appropriate, as well as guiding my decisions with solid, legal advice at all times.