Biography
I am an associate solicitor in the Will, Trust and Estate Disputes Team at Irwin Mitchell.
I specialise in estate and trust litigation and have expertise in both bringing and defending:
- Will Validity challenges on the grounds of forgery, formalities, lack of testamentary capacity, lack of knowledge and approval, undue influence and fraudulent calumny
- Disputes between executors/ trustees and beneficiaries or executors/ trustees themselves regarding the administration of an estate/ trust
- Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 for reasonable financial provision from an Estate by children, widows/ widowers, cohabitees and dependants
- Proprietary Estoppel Claims including disputes relating to family farming businesses
- Financial abuse claims
- Attorney/ Deputy Disputes.
What inspired you to get into law?
I wanted to be in a profession where I could support people in difficult situations and solve problems. It has most certainly proved to be the right choice.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Building positive client relationships and achieving successful results.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
I like that we work as one national team and our access to experts across the board.
What do you do away from the office?
I am a keen traveller and sports person.
Testimonials
"Bethan from the Estates and Probate Team was fantastic in dealing with my father's estate, helping me to navigate a very difficult situation while striving to keep costs to myself as low as possible. Really happy to recommend IW and Bethan specifically." - 5* Trustpilot review
“Bethan Smith helped me to defend an inheritance claim. She was always pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable and always available to answer any questions quickly and let me know how the case was progressing while keeping costs as low as possible. I found Bethan and everyone I spoke to at Irwin Mitchell very agreeable.” - 5* Trustpilot review
"Irwin Mitchell were recommended to me by a solicitor friend. After contacting them I had a detailed and helpful initial conversation with Hannah Worricker, who then laid out my options for my case, which involved contesting a will. The case took four years to finally be settled, as there was a considerable amount of evidence to be collected and presented. While Hannah was the associate solicitor who ran the case, she involved Bethan Smith, an Irwin Mitchell solicitor who turned out to be excellent, working at a slightly less expensive rate in order to keep the legal bill more manageable. Bringing a legal case is not cheap and far from risk-free, but Hannah advised me of our situation at every stage of the journey, and Bethan chased and negotiated for me all the way to the final settlement. I would advise anyone finding themselves needing to contest a will to talk to Hannah and Bethan at Irwin Mitchell." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Fantastic service from this firm in a very stressful and uncertain time. I always felt I was getting a balanced view of the chances of success. I would recommend! Irwin Mitchell to anyone. Bethan Smith my main contact in the firm seems to me to be truly exceptional. Margaret Windram, supporting Bethan, was also extremely helpful and reassuring." - 5* Trustpilot review
"The Solicitor who helped me was Bethan Smith in Chichester. She was very sympathetic to my cause and was extremely efficient in the way she handled this distressing situation and in very little time this matter has now been concluded. I can't thank her enough." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Bethan has been nothing short of amazing. She really does know her stuff. Her fees can be on the high end but she is good at what she does." - 5* Trustpilot review
