Elle McDonald

Solicitor

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Elle is a Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution Team and specialises in contentious trust and probate disputes. Elle has particular interest in matters concerning mental capacity and has considerable experience dealing with contentious Court of Protection cases.

Elle also has experience advising in relation to the following types of claims:

The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (acting for claimants and defendants including charities);
Disappointed beneficiaries claiming for shares of assets based on promises (proprietary estoppel);
Professional negligence claims relating to wills, trusts and estates;
Challenges relating to the validity of wills;
Claims involving Executors, Trustees and Attorneys for alleged breaches of their trust including their removal and/or substitution.

During her time at Stone King, Elle has gained invaluable experience working on cases which usually involve an international element.

Elle is currently an Associate member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) having successfully completed the course in 2022. She is also a member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and has obtained their Older Client Care in Practice and Older Client Law in Practice awards.

Recent work highlights:

- Advising a Trustee who had reached an impasse with their fellow Trustee in relation to a Discretionary Will Trust to find a suitable way forward;

- Acting on behalf of a sole beneficiary to defend claims brought against his late mother's estate concerning undue influence, fraudulent calumny and lack of capacity;

- Acting on behalf of two charitable organisations to settle a claim brought by the Deceased's late spouse under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Defendants) 1975;

- Acting on behalf of a party settle a claim brought against them under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 ("ToLATA").

Elle regularly writes articles for Todays Wills and Probate which can be found in their features section. She has also previously written articles for The Institute of Legacy Management ("ILM") which are published on their website and accessible for members which include legacy professionals.

University of Brighton - Criminology and Sociology (2.1)
Graduate Diploma in Law from The University of Law in Moorgate (commendation)
Legal Practice Course from the University of Law in Moorgate (Distinction)