Calm support for difficult
inheritance conversations
Probate disputes are rarely just about money. They often involve grief, family tensions, questions of fairness, and painful misunderstandings. At Sutton St George, we offer probate mediation for those who want a constructive alternative to escalating conflict or expensive, lengthy and combative court proceedings. We provide a calm, structured and confidential process in which you can speak openly, feel heard, and make practical agreements. Our role is not to take sides or impose solutions. We create the conditions for constructive conversations at emotionally difficult times. Some clients come to mediation early, before positions harden. Others come after reaching an exhausted stalemate. Both can benefit from a carefully held process.
Calm support for difficult
inheritance conversations
Probate disputes are rarely just about money. They often involve grief, family tensions, questions of fairness, and painful misunderstandings. At Sutton St George, we offer probate mediation for those who want a constructive alternative to escalating conflict or expensive, lengthy and combative court proceedings. We provide a calm, structured and confidential process in which you can speak openly, feel heard, and make practical agreements. Our role is not to take sides or impose solutions. We create the conditions for constructive conversations at emotionally difficult times. Some clients come to mediation early, before positions harden. Others come after reaching an exhausted stalemate. Both can benefit from a carefully held process.
What we offer
Based on substantial experience, we know how adversarial, complex and emotionally difficult probate disputes can be. Evidence suggests probate conflicts are becoming more common and more contentious. We facilitate structured conversations designed to help people communicate more effectively and move towards constructive discussion.
Our role is to help participants:
Identify underlying concerns
and priorities
Clarify misunderstandings
Support communication in situations where trust has broken down
Explore realistic options for moving forward record agreements clearly and in a way that is acceptable to all
We can help you with:
Disputes between executors, beneficiaries or family members
Communication breakdown following a death
Conflict where relationships matter
as well as practical outcomes
Resolving matters privately
and constructively
Litigation or mediation?
Using the courts to resolve probate disputes can be extremely expensive and stressful for everyone involved. Mediation offers a number of benefits when compared to going through court.
Benefits of mediation:
A constructive rather than adversarial process, focussed on moving forward and reaching agreement
much less expensive, and the fees are known up front
much quicker than a court process, taking days to complete rather than months or years
There is a greater chance of relationships continuing afterwards, or of achieving a good ending if needed
Much less stressful than going through the courts
Mediation is confidential whereas court proceedings are not
More creative solutions can be found
The process is voluntary, you can leave at any time (though few do)
A constructive rather than adversarial process, focussed on moving forward and reaching agreement
much less expensive, and the fees are known up front
much quicker than a court process, taking days to complete rather than months or years
There is a greater chance of relationships continuing afterwards, or of achieving a good ending if needed
Much less stressful than going through the courts
Mediation is confidential whereas court proceedings are not
More creative solutions can be found
The process is voluntary, you can leave at any time (though few do)
Our experience
Rebecca Sutton
Rebecca Sutton has worked in conflict resolution and mediation for over 25 years. A British Diplomat for 13 years, she worked in Kosovo, Darfur, Afghanistan and Cyprus, including leading processes with frontline fighters to bring them into peace agreements.
Rebecca works with families in conflict (through Oxfordshire Social Services). She also works on contentious issues at the community level. She is researching and evaluating her unique “Listening Exchange” methods at the University of Oxford. She has also advised senior multinational corporate leaders on complex reputational challenges.
Rebecca’s approach combines calm pragmatism, careful listening and an ability to work constructively with emotionally complex and high-conflict situations. She has extensive experience in non-violent communication and restorative justice. Rebecca is accredited by the Civil Mediation Council as a civil, workplace and community mediator, and is a member of the Society of Mediators (advanced mediation).
Andrew St George
Andrew has long personal experience – as beneficiary and executor – of litigious probate / estate administration: he brings emotional as well as professional understanding of the context.
He has worked as a university professor and management consultant (McKinsey & Co); through his work, he has wide experience of commercial and family businesses, having written on: law, banking, logistics, headhunting, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. After secondment with the Navy, he wrote Royal Navy Way of Leadership. He works intensively with the NHS, co-authoring national reviews and research in EDI and sexual safety.
He is a trained facilitator of transformation (McKinsey) and of The Thinking Environment (Nancy Kline); he is an internationally-accredited coach (Marshall Goldsmith); and he is accredited by the Civil Mediation Council as a civil and commercial mediator and is a member of the Society of Mediators (advanced mediation).
Our experience
Rebecca Sutton
Rebecca Sutton has worked in conflict resolution and mediation for over 25 years. A British Diplomat for 13 years, she worked in Kosovo, Darfur, Afghanistan and Cyprus, including leading processes with frontline fighters to bring them into peace agreements. Rebecca works with families in conflict (through Oxfordshire Social Services). She also works on contentious issues at the community level. She is researching and evaluating her unique “Listening Exchange” methods at the University of Oxford. She has also advised senior multinational corporate leaders on complex reputational challenges. Rebecca’s approach combines calm pragmatism, careful listening and an ability to work constructively with emotionally complex and high-conflict situations. She has extensive experience in non-violent communication and restorative justice. Rebecca is accredited by the Civil Mediation Council as a civil, workplace and community mediator, and is a member of the Society of Mediators (advanced mediation).
Andrew St George
Andrew has long personal experience – as beneficiary and executor – of litigious probate / estate administration: he brings emotional as well as professional understanding of the context. He has worked as a university professor and management consultant (McKinsey & Co); through his work, he has wide experience of commercial and family businesses, having written on: law, banking, logistics, headhunting, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. After secondment with the Navy, he wrote Royal Navy Way of Leadership. He works intensively with the NHS, co-authoring national reviews and research in EDI and sexual safety. He is a trained facilitator of transformation (McKinsey) and of The Thinking Environment (Nancy Kline); he is an internationally-accredited coach (Marshall Goldsmith); and he is accredited by the Civil Mediation Council as a civil and commercial mediator and is a member of the Society of Mediators (advanced mediation).
FAQs
Mediation itself is not legally binding. However, agreements reached through mediation can sometimes later be formalised through solicitors if participants wish.
No. You may participate in mediation with or without legal representation. We do not provide legal advice, though participants may choose to seek independent legal advice separately.
That is common in probate disputes. Mediation is specifically designed to help you manage difficult conversations constructively and safely.
Yes, subject to normal legal and safeguarding exceptions. Confidentiality is discussed clearly before mediation begins. Our mediation is “Without Prejudice” which means that anything said or done during mediation cannot be used in litigation or court proceedings.
Contact us
If you would like an initial conversation (free of charge), please get in touch.