Holly Bryan

Holly specialises in disputes involving Estates, Wills and Trusts, often with complex or international elements. These claims can often involve a challenge to the validity of a Will and/or the distribution of an estate.

Holly supports the firm's Rural and Agricultural Team and assists other teams within the firm on contentious or potentially contentious issues relating to farms and farming succession, including proprietary estoppel claims.

Holly also regularly provides unmarried individuals with asset protection advice, particularly in relation to property ownership, and prepares asset protection documents.

Holly is an Associate Member of the Association of Contentious Trust And Probate Specialists ("ACTAPS") and a Member of the Contentious Trusts Association ("ConTra"), and heads up the Exeter Private Client Network. 

Holly is recognised as an 'Associate to Watch' in the 2024 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth guide for Private Wealth Disputes. The publication reports that "Holly is an impressive associate", "has effortless client handling, is excellent at reassuring clients and is a great team player," and "is a very pleasant professional and competent lawyer. She always provides very clear options on which we could formulate an informed decision." 

Relevant Experience

• Successfully negotiating the settlement of a complex Will validity challenge on the basis of lack of capacity in respect of a £4million estate, which preserved the matrimonial home for the client's benefit and avoided the parties becoming embroiled in Court proceedings. 
• Bringing a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 on behalf of a widow against the multi-million pound estate of her late husband. This claim involved assets in both the UK and Spain and a favourable settlement for the client was reached, providing her with a substantial additional lump sum from the estate. 
• Advising the Claimant in proceedings under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 against his ex-partner, seeking a majority share in their jointly owned property and its immediate sale to release his equity. Settlement terms were reached, resulting in the client receiving a share in the property over and above his expectations. 
• Representing the claimant in a widely reported proprietary estoppel claim against a farm, which was successful in both the High Court and Court of Appeal. 
• Acting for Executors and Trustees facing hostile beneficiaries in relation to their duties and the steps they should take to protect themselves and the Estate or Trust. Holly also advises company directors who inadvertently find themselves trustees of 'death in service' policies, guiding them through the process of identifying beneficiaries and distributing the fund, particularly in unusual or contentious situations. 
• Holly's experience extends to civil mediations, proceedings in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, and early neutral evaluation. Recently, Holly has been involved with disputes regarding assets in France, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong.