Jennifer McGuinness
Specialisms & Areas of Work
Legal 500
Biography
Jennifer is a Partner in Myerson’s tier 1-ranked Contentious Trust and Probate team, advising clients nationally on complex estate and trust disputes. In October 2025, the team won the British Wills and Probate Award for Best Large Contentious Wills & Probate Team. She acts for claimants and defendants across the full spectrum of contentious probate work, including will validity challenges (capacity, knowledge and approval, undue influence, fraud and forgery), Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims, trust disputes, claims for and against personal representatives, and proprietary estoppel. She is known for being pragmatic, approachable and clear in her advice, with a focus on achieving the best outcome as efficiently as possible.
Jennifer qualified as a solicitor in September 2004 and has spent her career specialising in contentious trusts and probate. Before joining Myerson, she worked in private client dispute teams at Stephenson’s and then FDR Law, building extensive experience in emotionally charged, high-value and tactically complex disputes involving family dynamics, business assets and allegations of wrongdoing. This background means she is well equipped to handle cases where the factual and evidential picture develops over time and where early, strategic decisions can make a real difference.
Her work is often urgent and high stakes, so she prioritises early case analysis, proportionate evidence-gathering and robust cost management from the outset. She is a strong advocate for ADR and uses mediation and other settlement tools strategically, while remaining ready to pursue or defend proceedings firmly when that is in the client’s best interests.
Jennifer is a full member of ACTAPS and an active member of CONTrA and the Northern Contentious Probate Group, ensuring she remains closely connected to developments in this fast-moving area of law. She regularly contributes to knowledge-sharing initiatives, including writing commentary on topical issues, and delivering training and external presentations on specialist areas (including deathbed wills and out-of-time 1975 Act applications). She also mentors and supports junior lawyers in the team, with a focus on best practice and excellent client service.
She advises beneficiaries, executors, trustees and private individuals (including high-net-worth clients), recognising that these disputes often sit alongside grief, strained relationships and significant financial uncertainty. Clients value her straightforward, no-nonsense guidance and her ability to explain complex issues in plain language, enabling informed decision-making at every stage. Whether resolving matters discreetly or progressing to trial, she works closely with clients to set clear strategy, manage risk and maintain momentum throughout the case.
Client Feedback
Ms P
We can not thank Jennifer and her team enough for the amazing job done for us, always there to answer a question when we needed it or any advice to reassure us when time was very hard. Thank you again we could not be where we are now without you all.
Mrs S
My initial Probate lawyer was not very good. I then instructed Jennifer McGuinness to deal with the case and she was excellent. I had total confidence in her. Very efficient, approachable and dealt with this unpleasant character brilliantly. After I won the case I had a couple of awful encounters with the estranged daughter. Jennifer addressed both incidences brilliantly. I have total confidence in her and would highly recommend her.
Janet
I would like to thank Jennifer and Alice for all the work they did to resolve this matter.
Ms J
Very friendly and respectful of my needs. And thoroughly professional. Kept me totally up to date with all proceedings.
Legal 500
I have 20 years plus experience of Jennifer McGuinness and she is in my view brilliant with clients, spot on in her judgment and right on the ball with the law.
Hannah
Thank you for the effort and hard work Jennifer and everyone at Myerson have put into this case. I appreciate that it’s been a long haul, and I felt it necessary to express my gratitude.
Kerry
Thanks to Jennifer and the team for an excellent service. They were professional, friendly and kept us informed throughout the process. I would strongly recommend Myersons for any of your legal requirements.
Jenny
We were in an inheritance case and Jennifer was our dispute lawyer for three years. She was friendly, professional, quick to response to our queries and very proactively chase up the other side for answers. She is not only knowledgeable but also able to strategically apply pressure to ensure we have the best chance of success. We are happy with Jennifer and would recommend her to anyone.
Mark
Jennifer McGuiness is a very competent solicitor. I would definitely recommend her.
Ms Syder
During the process, I did at times find myself emotionally overwhelmed and stressed; however, the contentious probate team at Myerson went above and beyond to support me and guide me through the options, giving me time to evaluate my position. Collectively, they made me feel supported and confident in my claim.
Recent Experience
Syder v Saladino & Ors £45,000 Provision for Estranged Spouse in High Court Inheritance Case
Myerson Solicitors successfully represented Jacqueline Syder, securing a £45,000 award from her estranged husband’s estate.
Despite no provision in his will, the High Court ruled in Syder’s favour, given her financial contributions to their marital home and their legal marriage status at his death.
The case, handled by Myerson's Contentious Probate team, highlights key issues on financial claims in estranged spouse inheritance cases and the treatment of marital homes in probate claims.
Reflecting on the judgment, Jennifer McGuinness, Partner in our Contentious Probate Team, said:
"We are pleased to have secured a positive outcome for our client in what was a sensitive case. This judgment emphasises that the circumstances surrounding termination of marriage by death compared with a breakdown of relationship are "undeniably different". The position is often misunderstood. The approach to these sorts of cases is nuanced and fact sensitive. We hope this outcome brings Ms Syder some security and peace of mind; it has been a pleasure to work with her."
Ms Syder commented:
"During the process, I did at times find myself emotionally overwhelmed and stressed; however, the contentious probate team at Myerson went above and beyond to support me and guide me through the options, giving me time to evaluate my position. Collectively, they made me feel supported and confident in my claim."
Awards & Rankings
Legal 500 — Recommended Lawyer
2026
British Wills and Probate Awards — Best Contentious Wills & Probate Team (Large)
2025Memberships
- STEP Accredited
- Actaps (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) Accredited
Insights & Media
Probate Fraud in the UK: Lessons from the Christine Harverson Case
The BBC’s recent investigation into the case of Christine Harverson - where two sisters expecting to inherit their aunt’s estate were abruptly displaced by a man unknown to her family - has brought a prevalent but often under reported issue into the public eye: the growing threat of will fraud and the worrying vulnerability of the UK probate...
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The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“the Act”)
When someone dies, their estate is usually passed on according to their Will or, if there is no Will, under the intestacy rules. But in some circumstances, the terms of their Will or the intestacy rules do not make adequate financial provision for a close family member who is in need of financial support, or for someone who was financially...
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People are Talking About “The Inheritance” and “Inheritance Wars”
Two broadcasts from Channel 5 have brought the world of contentious probate into the public eye, sparking debate and questions about this area of law. Told in parts from behind the lens of poignant home videos, “The Inheritance” tells the story of three siblings whose father unexpectedly passes away. The siblings are shocked and distressed to...
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What does it take to prove Will forgery?
In the recent High Court case of Carlton Watts v Watts , the Claimant (Carlton) sued his 92-year-old mother (Jobyna), alleging she had forged his late father’s Will. By his 2000 Will, the late Eustace Watts had left his entire estate to Jobyna, his wife of 45 years. His previous Will of 1994 had purportedly left his son Carlton Aldo Watts...
Read BlogMeet Our Contentious Probate Solicitors
Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our contentious probate lawyers are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.