Gaynor is both knowledgeable and personable. She always has time for a chat if matters aren’t clear. Gaynor is quick to respond and generous with her advice
Our trusted team of succession planning experts advise a range of clients, from entrepreneurs to estates and business owners to individuals, on a spectrum of legal matters, including Wills, Trusts, Tax and Powers of Attorney. We’re expert at what we do and have over hundred years of combined experience helping families and individuals future-proof their world.
Specialising in Succession Planning and Inheritance Tax Planning, we have significant expertise in these areas and will guide you every step of the way. Meaning no nasty surprises, and clarity on what may come.
If you need an expert team of professional advisors, who can help you plan your future and that of your family, look no further, we’re here to help.
Our services
Powers of attorney
We are experienced in dealing with families and others who require help and assistance when family members become unable to make important decisions about finances or their welfare.
This includes help via preventative measures by making legal documents such as Lasting Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions (or Living Wills) whilst an individual has capacity to do so, as well as dealing with the registration of both Lasting Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorneys with the Office of the Public Guardian.
We are experienced in making applications to the Court of Protection for a family member or professional to be appointed as a deputy to deal with the individual’s property and financial affairs if that person lacks mental capacity and has not made a Power of Attorney.
We also regularly make applications to the Court of Protection to appoint Trustees in order to sell property or to make large gifts as part of Inheritance Tax Planning and Succession Planning.
Members of the team also act as a Court-appointed deputy and attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney for some of our clients.
Tax
We pride ourselves on tax advice that talks your language and cuts through to the commercial necessities.
We offer all Tax Planning services in relation to succession and estate planning including Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax.
We are experienced in advising on the Inheritance Tax implications on your death and any life time planning. We can advise on ways to mitigate the inheritance tax payable including utilising nil rate bands, transferrable nil rate bands and the residence nil rate band and maximising the available reliefs such as business property relief and agricultural property relief.
Trusts
We can advise you on the most appropriate form of trust for your needs and circumstances.
We are experienced in advising on the structure and tax implications of creating and administering Trusts as well as drafting the appropriate trust documents.
Many of our experts act as Trustees and we regularly act for clients who are Trustees themselves but need advice on how to undertake certain tasks.
We can act for Trustees and settlors in relation to employee trusts and pension trusts.
We can also assist in cases of personal injury where Trusts can be set up to preserve entitlement to any means-tested benefits.
Advice includes:
- Ad hoc advice on trusts and trust administration services
- Advising on the type of trust you need
- Creating the trust
- Administering trusts including:
- breaking trusts
- dealing with HMRC and compliance
- distributions to beneficiaries
- liaising with financial advisors
- preparing annual Trust accounts
- Winding up trusts at the end of their term
Wills
We help make the best preparations to safeguard your future and that of your family. We have experience in advising and drafting Wills for private individuals, business owners, farmers and high net worth individuals.
Deciding what happens to your assets is one of the most important decisions anyone can make but is often forgotten or avoided. That is why we get to know and understand you and your situation before we offer our advice, as well as ensuring that your Will is tax efficient taking advantage of the appropriate exemptions and reliefs.
Working with colleagues in the Family and Matrimonial, Property and Corporate teams, we provide a discreet, professional and personal service to clients, using our skill and discretion to handle even the most sensitive and complex matters.
Probate and estate administration
When someone dies it is a very difficult time, but our experienced team can help in a sensitive and efficient manner.
We can assist with aspects of dealing with a person’s estate after they have died or can be involved with specific parts, depending on the circumstances and requirements.
We are regularly instructed by personal representatives to deal with the estate administration and can assist with the following:
- Arranging the funeral
- Registering the death
- Obtaining the grant of probate or letters of administration
- Preparing the inheritance tax forms and arranging payment of inheritance tax where appropriate
- Dealing with enquiries raised by HM Revenue and Customs
- Liquidating assets and/ or transferring assets to the beneficiaries
- Making distributions
- Dealing with income tax and capital gains tax issues
- Preparing deeds of variation
We advise some of the country’s leading charities on estate issues.
Pricing
For indicative pricing information on probate matters, please click here.