Spear’s Review

Jessica Henson is a partner in Payne Hicks Beach’s well-regarded private client team, specialising in disputed trusts and estates.

Her practice includes probate disputes – especially cases in which divorce has complicated matters – capacity and construction issues, and claims under the Inheritance Act 1975. 

‘Because of all the experience I have with disputes, I find myself doing quite a lot of advisory work trying to prevent disputes from arising,’ she tells Spear’s. This involves advising on structures such as wills and prenuptial agreements that lay out what should be done in the event of future divorces, power holders losing capacity or any deaths that may occur.

‘What I really love about the work I do is the diversity of the client base,’ she notes. ‘We work with everyone from global CEOs who are leaders in their field to landed estates and everything in between.’

Adviser Profile

Jessica is a private client partner who specialises in resolving trust and estate disputes. As a litigator, she has extensive experience of complex trust and estate disputes, both in England and offshore. As an adviser, she draws on this litigation expertise to implement estate planning strategies which are designed to avoid future disputes. With an emphasis on the underlying psychology of the parties involved, she has a proven track record for resolving seemingly intractable disputes. She is also known for having a particular interest in the intersection between trusts and matrimonial law, frequently advising trustees and beneficiaries in the context of divorce.