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 exhaustive 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:
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identify underlying concerns and priorities
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clarify misunderstandings
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support communication in situations where trust has broken down
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explore realistic options for moving forward record agreements clearly and in a way that is acceptable to all
We can help you with:
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disputes between executors, beneficiaries or family members
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communication breakdown following a death
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conflict where relationships matter as well as practical outcomes
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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.
These include:
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a constructive rather than adversarial process, focussed on moving forward and reaching agreement
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much less expensive, and the fees are known up front
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much quicker than a court process, taking days to complete rather than months or years
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there is a greater chance of relationships continuing afterwards, or of achieving a good ending if needed
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much less stressful than going through the courts
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mediation is confidential whereas court proceedings are not
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more creative solutions can be found
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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 who are referred to her by Oxfordshire Social Services. She also works on contentious issues at the community level and has developed a “Listening Exchange’ method to reduce polarisation which she is currently researching at the University of Oxford. She has successfully advised senior multinational corporate leadership 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 worked as a university teacher and professor (Harvard, Columbia, Oxford), and as a management consultant (McKinsey & Co); through his work, he has wide experience of commercial and family businesses. He has written books in the following sectors: law, banking, logistics, headhunting, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
After spending time working with the Navy, he wrote Royal Navy Way of Leadership for the Navy and then McKinsey’s Leadership at Scale. He works intensively with the NHS, co-authoring national reviews and continuing work in EDI and sexual safety. He is a trained facilitator of transformation (McKinsey) and a trained facilitator of The Thinking Environment (Nancy Kline); he is also an internationally accredited coach (Marshall Goldsmith).
Andrew has long personal experience – as both a beneficiary and as an executor – of contentious and litigious probate / estate administration: he brings an emotional as well as a professional understanding of the context.
Andrew is accredited by the Civil Mediation Council as a civil and commercial mediator, and is a member of the Society of Mediators (advanced mediation).
I have felt so much gratitude and respect for you during and since our conflict resolution process. I really appreciate the time you gave to each of us, such a precious commodity! And the way you made us all feel so safe, it was a very powerful experience to be held like that.
I feel very lucky to have had the chance to work with Andrew. His great intellect is never dominant and he lives the values of corporation and collaboration.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for the space, time, love and openness of heart that you gave to our families in navigating a really difficult time fraught with conflict. We all appreciate having the expansive generous time you gave us, particularly 1:1, in expressing our concerns and holding a SAFE SPACE for us all in the group.
I have so admired your commitment to team inclusivity, asking others’ views, encouraging the obligation to dissent, and checking in on how everyone is at each and every meeting.
Becks was a fantastic mediator for our house conflict. She listened non-judgmentally during my one-to-one session and helped me find truthful statements that were more bearable using the NVC technique. She helped us all listen to one another during the group sessions and stayed grounded when we didn’t and helped us reconnect each time. I’d really recommend her for any housing coop or group wanting to resolve group conflicts.
You are a very special, caring, creative man. Thank you for your grace and humility, for being willing to listen, to learn and most of all to share your deep wells of wisdom with us all. I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunities to work with you on this team. What an honour… keep doing what you do and make the world better.
Becks helped me edit a personal letter to a dying parent with 3 months to live from whom I was estranged. She was very skilled at helping me see things from the other’s perspective, and I’m certain made a huge impact on me being able to send the letter I wanted to send but couldn’t write without popping in some unhelpful bits. This helped me utilise this last chance to heal an important relationship. I’d thoroughly recommend working with Becks.
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.